Blooming Days Recap, Plot, Synopsis

Blooming Days Synopsis

In the city of Qu Liang within the fief of Lord An, a remarkable young woman named Luo Qinglian becomes embroiled in the succession struggle among the sons of Lord An due to her striking resemblance to the late Rani. She becomes a concubine to the third son, He Lianxin.

At first, Qinglian's only desire is to escape this situation, but as time goes on and she experiences ups and downs with He Lianxin, she witnesses his compassionate heart towards the people.

Determined to stay by his side and support his ambitions, Qinglian decides to remain with him.

Blooming Days Recap

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In the first year of Qi and Yuan, the previous emperor passed away, and the young emperor ascended the throne. Prime Minister He Lianxin wholeheartedly supported the young emperor, and for a while, the court was in turmoil. Many ups and downs occurred. General He Yunshuo was conferred the title of An Prince and sent to a barren and uncultivated borderland. When he first arrived in Qu Lian, he was met with wilderness and barbarity. The land was undeveloped, the people were uncivilized, there were tribal invasions from the outside, and internal conflicts among the Manchus. He Yunshuo used his martial skills to quell the chaos, his literary talents to attract talent, and his virtue to win the hearts of the people. After thirty years of hard work, he ultimately turned Qu Lian into a thriving city.

Lord Wang was selecting concubines, and Luo Qinglian's mother wanted her daughter Luo Qinglian to participate. However, Luo Qinglian was completely unwilling and tried to escape. Her attempt failed, and she was brought back by her mother and brother. Lord Wang had never selected concubines before, but this time it was the emperor's intention to take another wife. Many families with daughters were scheming to find a way for their children to have this opportunity. Luo Qinglian felt that her mother was selling her because she wanted to secure a position for her son in the mansion. In her anger, she jumped out of the carriage, narrowly avoiding being crushed by an oncoming cart carrying goods. Fortunately, her younger brother, Yi, appeared in time to save her.

He Lianxin's side consort, Mu Haiyao, was in charge of the selection of concubines. She instructed her personal maidservant, Ruhua, to screen the candidates. However, Ruhua believed that none of the candidates were suitable. Mu Haiyao assumed that Luo Qinglian did not show up because she knew she couldn't compete on the stage and had backed out. Mu Haiyao was a ruthless person. She ordered one of her maids to be punished severely for accidentally spilling tea on the floor.

For the concubine selection, Mu Haiyao had Ruhua hold a portrait to find someone with a similar appearance. The person in the portrait was the late queen, who had passed away 30 years ago. However, He Yunshuo had always been obsessed with her. The late queen was the mother of He Lianxiu, who was the second son of He Yunshuo. He Lianxin and He Lianxiu were the third and fourth sons of Lord Wang. Although they shared the same father, their relationships were not so pure. He Lianxin was different; he had no interest in the power struggle and only wanted to live a carefree and comfortable life.

He Lianxiu's legitimate wife, Ruan Zhimei, also came to observe the concubine selection. However, Mu Haiyao paid her no attention and acted as if Ruan Zhimei couldn't measure up. Ruan Zhimei knew that Mu Haiyao came from a powerful family and had a haughty attitude, so she had to swallow her pride.

Luo Qinglian and her brother, Lu Beiyi, came up with a plan. They used a special medicine that, when applied to the face, created the appearance of a red birthmark. Luo Qinglian successfully deceived Mu Haiyao with this trick. However, she was seen by Jin Fang, the maidservant who had been hiding behind a fake rockery. Mu Haiyao drove Luo Qinglian away, and Jin Fang followed her. Jin Fang had been the late queen's personal maidservant and had not seen anyone who looked so much like the late queen since her passing. Jin Fang owed He Lianxin a favor, so she deliberately reminded Mu Haiyao that the girl who had just left not only looked like the late queen but also behaved similarly in every way. She hinted that the girl wanted to be rejected. Luo Qinglian left Lord Wang's mansion, unaware that the bag containing the disguised medicine had fallen at the gate.

After leaving the An Prince's mansion, Luo Qinglian immediately found Lu Beiyi at the medical clinic. Lu Beiyi learned that Luo Qinglian had not been chosen and was deeply disappointed. However, Mu Haiyao saw the whole scene and realized that Luo Qinglian had intentionally made herself unattractive to deceive Lord Wang. She arranged for Ruhua to report this to the authorities.

In order to get Luo Qinglian into Lord Wang's mansion, Mu Haiyao deliberately framed her parents. Luo Rongyu, who had lived an upright and honest life, was a magistrate for the people but was falsely accused of corruption by Mu Haiyao. She had also deceived Luo's mother into signing a statement without carefully reading it, unknowingly admitting her connection to the rebels of Tianqing Society. Today was supposed to be a joyous day for Luo Qinglian and Lu Beiyi, but in order to protect her family, Luo Qinglian had to give up the marriage and return to Lord Wang's mansion. Mu Haiyao promised that as long as she behaved well in the mansion, she would not trouble Luo's family again.

In the An Prince's mansion, Luo Qinglian met He Lianxin and Jin Fang. Jin Fang saw Luo Qinglian and thought of the late queen. She promised He Lianxin that she would help Luo Qinglian get selected. Although Luo Qinglian was just an ordinary woman, she was not ignorant. She knew that He Lianxin usually pretended to be carefree but was secretly plotting a big game. He wanted Luo Qinglian to replace the late queen so that the arrogant heir could fall from favor, giving He Yunshuo a chance to rise to power.

He Lianxin pretended not to understand Luo Qinglian's words, and Luo Qinglian was not surprised by his reaction. When He Lianxiu, the fourth brother, arrived, He Lianxin quickly took Luo Qinglian into a carriage. He Lianxiu sensed that something was amiss and went home to discuss the matter with his wife. The fourth wife speculated that it might be Mu Haiyao who had found someone resembling the late queen and wanted to investigate. He Lianxiu felt a twinge of jealousy and asked his wife if she wanted to use this as an excuse to see He Lianxin. The fourth wife stated that since she was already the fourth wife, she would always remember her position and consider everything for He Lianxiu.

Luo Qinglian still had not given up on her desire to leave. She deliberately told Jin Fang Matron that she wanted to live in a larger room because the current place was too small, and she felt confined. Mu Haiyao learned of this and firmly refused, as her place was the largest in the estate, except for He Lianxin's courtyard. She suspected that Luo Qinglian was trying to find an opportunity to escape, and she would not allow her that chance.

The fourth wife came to He Lianxin's courtyard, and he took her to the side of Unxi Pool, explaining that this pool was built for her. The fourth wife believed that there was no need to bring up the past. He Lianxin knew that she had chosen someone else back then because she thought he had no chance of inheriting the title, and now she was testing the waters. The fourth wife told He Lianxin that she had lost too much, so she needed to ensure everything was foolproof in every matter.

According to their agreement, Lü Beiyi wanted to rescue Luo Qinglian, but he was discovered by Mu Haiyao. Mu Haiyao captured Lü Beiyi, and to free him, Luo Qinglian had to agree to Mu Haiyao's conditions and focus on her studies in the mansion. Luo Qinglian was confined to her room every day. One day, she saw a little cat run in, and shortly after, Hui'er entered looking for the cat. It turned out the cat was called Rongqiu, and it belonged to Hui'er. Hui'er couldn't understand why Rongqiu ran away when she had provided it with a carefree life. Luo Qinglian told Hui'er that Rongqiu might want a life of freedom.

He Lianxin arrived, and Hui'er wanted him to release Luo Qinglian. He Lianxin said that Luo Qinglian could leave tomorrow. He Lianxin told Luo Qinglian that Lü Beiyi didn't dislike official positions; he only pretended not to care because she didn't like them. He hoped Luo Qinglian would forget Lü Beiyi, as that would be the best outcome.

After studying with Jin Fang Matron for several days, Luo Qinglian's demeanor had become very similar to the late queen's. During this time, Luo Qinglian felt that Jin Fang Matron treated her very well and was puzzled. Jin Fang Matron told Luo Qinglian that she looked very much like her own young miss, the late queen. Since the late queen's passing, she had been yearning for her every day, and the lord missed her even more.

On the day of the selection of palace attendants, Luo Qinglian entered the palace. According to the requirements, the girls who wanted to become attendants had to wash their faces. Unfortunately, a gust of wind blew leaves into some of the girls' basins, leaving their faces dirty. Only Luo Qinglian's basin remained clean, so she had everyone use her basin to wash their faces. After washing their faces, the other girls' appearances were ruined. The lord called Luo Qinglian, but upon seeing her, he was instantly captivated because she looked so much like the late queen. The fathers of the girls whose appearances were ruined came to the palace to seek justice for their children. They believed Luo Qinglian had done it intentionally, but she was completely unaware. He Lianxin also spoke up for Luo Qinglian, stating a simple truth: if she wanted to harm someone, why would she poison her own basin in front of everyone? However, the fathers believed that Luo Qinglian might be using this logic to clear herself of suspicion.

Luo Qinglian explained that she had no grudges against the other girls, and there was no reason for her to harm them. Even if she wanted to eliminate her competition, with over a dozen girls participating in the selection, it didn't make sense for her to harm only three of them. Someone wanted to frame her. Regardless of her explanation, the injured girls' fathers still suspected that she had acted intentionally and hoped that Lord An would give their children justice.

Lu Beiyi learned about Luo Qinglian's situation and rushed into the palace, attempting to take her away. However, they were no match for the palace guards and were quickly captured. Lu Beiyi was accused of assassination and sentenced to execution. To save Lu Beiyi, Luo Qinglian reluctantly admitted that she wanted to harm those girls. Now that she had confessed, she hoped that Lord An would release Lu Beiyi. The late queen was willing to give up her life to bear the late king's child, believing it was a worthwhile sacrifice. Now, Luo Qinglian was willing to exchange her life to save Lu Beiyi. Jin Fang Matron stepped forward to explain, revealing her identity. Lord An recognized Jin Fang Matron and, in consideration of the late queen's memory, agreed to listen to her.

She believed that everyone could see that Luo Qinglian was forced to admit her wrongdoing because of the circumstances. Lord An was not a person who would ignore the truth for a woman, so she hoped everyone could give him some time to investigate the matter. If they insisted on making Luo Qinglian take the blame, she was willing to stand in for her. Just as she finished speaking, Jin Fang Matron rushed into a flower bed and passed away on the spot. Luo Qinglian never expected Jin Fang Matron to do such a thing, and she couldn't help but cry.

With the situation having reached this point, nobody could pressure Lord An any further. They had to await the results of Lord An's investigation, as Jin Fang Matron had suggested. In the end, Lu Beiyi was banished for generations on charges of assassination, and Luo Qinglian lost her qualifications to become a palace attendant. She was sent to He Lianxiu to work as a servant.

Dongli visited Luo Qinglian and told her that her family was worried about her, but in this situation, they were powerless. Luo Qinglian's main concern now was Lu Beiyi. Lu Beiyi was proud and had been banished, which must have been very difficult for him. Luo Qinglian started learning from scratch, starting with cooking. Although her family's conditions were average, she had never done such manual labor before. He Lianxiu was also quite annoyed. This servant girl was almost his father's woman. Now that she had been assigned to his household, he didn't know how to handle the situation.

He Lianxin came with a fine horse to meet He Lianxiu, knowing that He Lianxiu liked horses. His purpose was to take Luo Qinglian away, so he deliberately praised the food, and He Lianxiu suggested taking the chef instead if He Lianxin liked it. Seeing the opportunity, He Lianxin immediately praised the girl who cooked. This praise fulfilled his wish, and He Lianxiu gave Luo Qinglian to him.

The fourth son saw He Lianxin taking away Luo Qinglian and told He Lianxiu about Luo Qinglian's identity. He Lianxiu couldn't believe that He Lianxin had dared to take his father's woman. He went to complain to Lord An, but to his surprise, He Lianxin also arrived. He voluntarily admitted that he and Luo Qinglian were in love and hoped that his father would agree to their marriage.

Lord An agreed to He Lianxin's request, but he emphasized that Luo Qinglian should be made a concubine, not treated as a servant. This pleased He Lianxin greatly. Before returning home, he went to meet Lu Beiyi, who was drowning his sorrows in alcohol. Lu Beiyi wanted to redeem himself and avoid a life of servitude, and He Lianxin offered to help, surprising Lu Beiyi.

Luo Qinglian was tied up and placed in a sedan chair, which was carried into He Lianxin's courtyard. She had no intention of staying there, so as soon as she stepped out of the sedan chair, she removed her head covering. Mu Haiyao considered her to be disrespectful and wanted to punish her. He Lianxin's other wives, secondary wives, and maidservants watched, with some supporting Mu Haiyao's decision and others choosing to remain silent. Fortunately, He Lianxin's legitimate wife, Fang Huairui, arrived in time to prevent Luo Qinglian from being punished. Unlike Mu Haiyao, Fang Huairui was kind and gentle. Combined with her status as the legitimate wife, the other wives dared not go against her.

Mu Haiyao wanted to instigate a rebellion against Luo Qinglian being made a concubine, but they were interrupted by the arrival of He Lianxin and Lord An's attendant. The attendant read Lord An's decree, and since it was his wish, the other wives didn't dare to oppose it further. In the evening, He Lianxin went to Luo Qinglian's room. He knew whom she was thinking about, so he took her to see Lu Beiyi, who was cleaning horse dung. When Lu Beiyi accidentally made a mess, the steward ordered him to pick it up with his hands. Seeing this, Luo Qinglian was filled with sorrow.

He Lianxin had intentionally arranged for Lu Beiyi to work at his residence to keep Luo Qinglian in check, but as long as Lu Beiyi cooperated, He Lianxin would help him escape servitude when the opportunity arose. The Crown Prince came to the residence to celebrate the promotion of the fourth prince to a higher title. However, the fourth prince heard about the promotion, and this time it was the third prince who was promoted. He was an idle person who hadn't accomplished anything, which surprised He Lianchu. He suspected that Luo Qinglian was behind this. When He Lianchu was worried, his attendant Song An informed him that he had a fellow townsman working as a maidservant in He Lianxin's residence, living unhappily. He suggested that they could make use of her. He Lianchu found this proposal reasonable.

He Lianxin sent someone to Luo Qinglian's family to arrange for a maidservant. Dongli was chosen to go to He Lianxin's residence. Upon arriving, she saved Luo Qinglian from a staged accident involving a flowerpot placed in their path. Luo Qinglian was glad that Dongli was there to accompany her, as she now had someone she could trust at the residence. As for the flowerpot incident, she had an inkling of Mu Haiyao's intentions, but she didn't explain and simply admitted her fear of cats, which was why she accidentally pushed it over, resulting in the death of the cat. She asked Lady Fang Huairui to punish her. Fang Huairui was moved by Luo Qinglian's candor and decided not to punish her. Mu Haiyao was surprised by Luo Qinglian's admission that she had killed the cat.

In the evening, Luo Qinglian planned to escape. However, Huier suddenly rushed in, wanting to take her to confront their father and have him punish her. Huier remembered what Luo Qinglian had told her before, and she realized that Luo Qinglian was not to blame. Thus, she chose to believe Luo Qinglian. Since Luo Qinglian was not responsible for the cat's death, it had to be Mu Haiyao. Huier went to confront Mu Haiyao, who was in a hurry to catch Luo Qinglian. She pushed Huier, and Huier accidentally hit her head on a cabinet, resulting in her death. Mu Haiyao panicked, and one of her maids wanted to frame Luo Qinglian for this. She convinced Mu Haiyao to go after Luo Qinglian while she placed Huier's body in Luo Qinglian's room.

The legitimate wife held Huier's lifeless body, grieving and crying, and He Lianxin arrived at the scene. Huier was their only son, and he was gone. The legitimate wife couldn't accept this outcome and believed that Luo Qinglian had killed Huier. She demanded that Luo Qinglian be executed, but He Lianxin stopped her and had someone take her back to her room to rest.

Mu Haiyao and her maidservant, Lan'er, acted together and successfully shifted suspicion onto Luo Qinglian. He Lianxin believed that Huier had blocked the escape of Luo Qinglian and Lu Beiyi, so he took action. He decided to sink the two of them into the Unxi Pool. His attendants reminded him to remember Lord An's words, and He Lianxin didn't want to let Luo Qinglian pay with her life so easily for Huier's death. Luo Qinglian requested He Lianxin's permission to investigate the murderer, promising that if she couldn't find the culprit, she would be buried with Huier.

He Lianxin had Lu Beiyi locked up and deprived him of food and water until Luo Qinglian found the truth. Luo Qinglian went to see the legitimate wife, but she was unwilling to see her. Luo Qinglian knelt outside the door, expressing that everyone saw Huier as a privileged child, but she believed that Huier was very unfortunate, deprived of his parents' love and ordinary childhood happiness, and no one genuinely cared for him. Luo Qinglian questioned whether the legitimate wife, as Huier's mother, would want to see her child die unjustly.

The legitimate wife allowed Luo Qinglian to enter the room. With the legitimate wife's help, Luo Qinglian gained the authority to question the servants. She only asked if Lan'er was Mu Haiyao's personal maidservant and then let her go. However, she kept Ru Hua for two hours. Mu Haiyao was worried about Ru Hua making a mistake, so she went to find her. Fortunately, Ru Hua arrived in time; otherwise, she might have revealed the truth. Mu Haiyao had Ru Hua taken away to interrogate her. Even when Luo Qinglian tried to intervene, Mu Haiyao ignored her.

Dongli felt that they were so close to discovering the murderer, but Luo Qinglian told her that she had already found out. She had no hope that Ru Hua would confess. She was waiting for the person behind the scenes, who couldn't sit still. It turned out to be Mu Haiyao. Luo Qinglian went to see Rong Bu, asking if she had seen anything that night. Rong Bu claimed that she hadn't. Luo Qinglian knew that Rong Bu must have seen something but didn't want to say. She chose not to press the issue.

On the day of Huier's burial, Luo Qinglian had Dongli hide under the coffin to speak as Huier. She hoped to catch Mu Haiyao off guard and see her reaction. Mu Haiyao panicked, and the legitimate wife noticed. He Lianxin also observed this but didn't say anything. They decided to proceed with Huier's burial.

Afterward, at Song An's request, Lan'er put poison in Luo Qinglian's teapot. Luo Qinglian brought the legitimate wife to her room and made sure she was the only one who drank the water. Later, she took the legitimate wife to see another maidservant, Lady Rong, hoping that she would tell the truth about what she saw that night. When Lady Rong was hesitant, the legitimate wife threatened to use torture. To protect Lady Rong, Luo Qinglian asked the legitimate wife for time to persuade her. Eventually, Lady Rong revealed that someone had carried a sack into Luo Qinglian's room that night. The sack was about the size of a child, but it was dark, and she couldn't identify the person. Luo Qinglian fell ill from the poison, and the doctor believed there was no chance of recovery. She hoped that Lady Rong would go to find Lu Beiyi. Lu Beiyi had not eaten or drunk anything for several days, and he was also in critical condition. In an effort to save Luo Qinglian, Lady Rong risked her life to bring Lu Beiyi water. After Lu Beiyi regained consciousness, he shared the method to save Luo Qinglian with Lady Rong.

Lady Rong, following the method taught by Lu Beiyi, saved Luo Qinglian's life. Luo Qinglian was very grateful to Lady Rong. Through these events, Lady Rong saw that Luo Qinglian was a good girl and recognized her as a younger sister. In reality, Lady Rong had seen the person that night, but Luo Qinglian didn't want her to say anything without concrete evidence, as it would put her at risk of being poisoned. Nonetheless, Lady Rong mentioned Lan'er.

Lan'er was planning to escape but discovered a hidden compartment in a room. She took a precious item from it, hoping it would spare her life. Lan'er met with Song An, and like a painting saw her, deciding to report back to Mu Haiyao. Mu Haiyao bound Lan'er, not expecting her to betray her. Mu Haiyao wanted to know what Lan'er had given to Song An and was willing to plead with a maidservant for the sake of the Lord.

Luo Qinglian and the legitimate wife rushed over but found that Lan'er had already died. Mu Haiyao's explanation was that Lan'er had an affair and took her own life after she scolded her. Luo Qinglian hadn't expected that Mu Haiyao would outpace her once again. Luo Qinglian knew that finding the real murderer would be very difficult, so she secretly released Lu Beiyi and had Dongli accompany them. By doing so, she would fall into He Lianxin's hands. He Lianxin intended to help her and had just raised a knife when a royal messenger arrived. The Lord ordered He Lianxin and Luo Qinglian to pay respects to the late Queen Mother the next day, and the same message reached the Crown Prince's estate.

In the hidden compartment, Lan'er found evidence collected by He Lianxin about the Crown Prince. He was not just an idle noble but was secretly amassing power. The Crown Prince hadn't anticipated He Lianxin's cunning strategy. He had arranged for people to ambush them on the road and create a rockslide when the right moment came. He planned to die there to protect his position because once the Lord discovered what he had done, his position as Crown Prince would be untenable. So he set up the trap, and the outlaws detonated the rockslide. Many stones fell down, and Luo Qinglian rushed out to save herself. He Lianxin was also trapped underneath. With great effort, he moved the rocks and saw a boy who was about to be crushed. He quickly saved the boy. Luo Qinglian, witnessing this, didn't expect He Lianxin to value the common people so much. She rushed over to help him.

Mu Haiyao wanted to go rescue He Lianxin, but Ru Hua disagreed, saying that she wouldn't be able to explain how she knew about this incident. Mu Haiyao decided to go anyway. The legitimate wife came and slapped her, saying that she had heard her mention saving He Lianxin, indicating that she must have known about the incident.

The Crown Prince arrived, accusing He Lianxin of disregarding the lives of the common people in his attempt to assassinate him. The Seventh Prince came to defend the people from He Lianxin's estate, and the Crown Prince had to leave. Mu Haiyao called her brother over and asked him to save He Lianxin. The legitimate wife's brother, Lord Fang Erge, also arrived, saying that the Crown Prince had found evidence against their father. He promised to bring charges against their father once He Lianxin returned. The honor of their entire family now rested with the legitimate wife, and they couldn't allow He Lianxin to come back. When He Lianxin regained consciousness, he realized that Luo Qinglian had saved him. But he still believed that Luo Qinglian was the culprit behind Huier's death and was determined to punish her when they returned home.

Luo Qinglian told He Lianxin that in this world, not everyone is heartless; many people have feelings and righteousness. He Lianxin knew she was talking about Lu Beiyi. He reminded Luo Qinglian that Lu Beiyi's top priority is his career, not her. One day, Luo Qinglian will understand this. Luo Qinglian took He Lianxin to the place she had arranged to meet with Lu Beiyi. He Lianxin had already decided to support her relationship with Lu Beiyi, and when he returned to see the Lord An, he would falsely claim that Luo Qinglian had died trying to save him. Luo Qinglian was grateful to He Lianxin, and he repaid her for saving his life.

Dongli came to find Luo Qinglian and informed her about the tragic death of Lu Beiyi's parents due to their low status. Luo Qinglian personally went to their graves and made a tombstone for them, feeling responsible for what had happened. He Lianxin hoped that Luo Qinglian could go back with him, and once he succeeded, he would personally pardon Lu Beiyi's low status. Just as he spoke, hidden assassins released arrows, but fortunately, the Seventh Young Master and his soldiers arrived in time to save He Lianxin.

He Lianxin kept his promise and let Luo Qinglian leave, but the Seventh Young Master stopped her because only she could prove He Lianxin's innocence. He Lianxin asked Luo Qinglian a question: how long would she be miserable if she didn't marry Lu Beiyi? Luo Qinglian told him, "a lifetime." Hearing this, He Lianxin agreed to let her go. Surprisingly, the Seventh Young Master begged Luo Qinglian to help his third brother and explained that in the Wang Mansion, it was different from ordinary people's homes. Once they lost their father's trust, they couldn't achieve their ambitions. Other soldiers knelt down as well, pleading with Luo Qinglian to return to the city with He Lianxin.

Luo Qinglian wanted to wait a bit longer, hoping that Lu Beiyi would come back, but he never did. In reality, he was watching her from a distance but didn't show himself. Luo Qinglian was heartbroken and decided to follow He Lianxin back to the city to help him achieve his goals. He must remember his promise to remove Lu Beiyi's low status if the opportunity arose, and He Lianxin agreed to this.

After returning to the city, Luo Qinglian told the Lord An about her experiences on this journey. However, her story contradicted what the Crown Prince had told him. She didn't know what the Crown Prince had said, but she assured the Lord An that everything she said was true. The Lord An received a secret letter that confirmed Luo Qinglian's story, and he appointed He Lianxin as General Zhao De to reward Luo Qinglian for protecting him. He also gave her a flute that once belonged to the late queen, granting her a lifelong reprieve from death. The Crown Prince was shocked by the unexpected outcome and couldn't sit still in his chair. When asked why he had chosen to ennoble these brothers, the Crown Prince replied that he wanted to motivate them to achieve great things. The Lord An was disappointed with the Crown Prince's dullness and told him not to come and pay respects for several days, instructing him to reflect on his actions in the Crown Prince's residence.

He Lianxin asked Luo Qinglian why she hadn't mentioned the Crown Prince's plot to kill him. Luo Qinglian explained that if she had spoken up, it would have been the Crown Prince who suffered the consequences, not the Seventh Young Master. He Lianxin believed that Luo Qinglian wasn't the one who had killed Hui'er, but he wanted to know who did it. Luo Qinglian had no evidence but was willing to stake her life on the claim that it was Mu Haiyao.

Upon returning to the mansion, He Lianxin arranged for Luo Qinglian to stay at Lianwei Residence, which was close to the Unripe Pond. Mu Haiyao then staged a drama by pretending to be ill and didn't go to welcome He Lianxin back. She even conspired with the imperial physician to falsely claim she was three months pregnant, further hurting the legitimate wife's feelings.

Luo Qinglian, upon arriving at her new residence, had new attendants and maids. However, she instructed them that if they heard people talking about her outside, they should ignore it. She didn't want them to be insulted because of her past, and she would never force them to stay. When Luo Qinglian entered her room, she was surprised to find He Lianxin already there. She realized that He Lianxin had received a significant promotion that day, which meant he was willing to overlook the death of Hui'er, as he had also allowed Fang Huairui's brother, Fang Erge, to remain unharmed. The past, no matter how painful, was behind them, and the future was what truly mattered.

He Lianxin was impressed by Luo Qinglian's intelligence, confirming that he had made the right choice in her. He ordered that she was not to leave the residence without his permission. Luo Qinglian understood his reasons and didn't question them. After the recent events, she could see that He Lianxin cared about the people and would likely be a wise ruler in the future. However, she also sensed that Mu Haiyao was cunning and malicious, and her influential family would eventually pose a threat to He Lianxin. He had confined Luo Qinglian for her safety, as she had attracted attention and made enemies in the household, particularly from the Crown Prince.

Luo Qinglian's house arrest lasted for a year, during which time she took the opportunity to learn about all the matters within the residence. She had a hunch about He Lianxin's intentions, so she asked the servants assigned to her to share any information they knew.

On a stormy night, He Lianxin was summoned to the Lord An's mansion, and Luo Qinglian woke up, sensing that something was amiss. She learned that He Lianxin had gone to the Lord An's mansion, which confirmed her suspicion that something had gone wrong there. The Lord An was furious because the treasury at his mansion had been emptied. He inquired if anyone had volunteered to recover the debts, and the Crown Prince was the first to back down. Lord An then recommended the Third Young Master, and ultimately, He Lianxin was tasked with the job. In reality, Lord An used this opportunity to clear the way for the Crown Prince. Recovering the debts would please Lord An, but it would anger other high-ranking officials. Failing to recover the debts was not an option, as it would be seen as a failure, making it a thankless task. The other young masters took delight in He Lianxin's predicament.

With a troubled expression, He Lianxin realized he was at a loss, but then he thought of Luo Qinglian and considered seeking her help to resolve the current crisis. Su Nanchun was tasked with taking Luo Qinglian to the Lord An's mansion. However, on the way, they encountered a maid of Mistress Mo who would report this to her mistress and deliver a hairpin she had found dropped by Luo Qinglian. Mistress Mo knew that Mu Haiyao bore a grudge against Luo Qinglian and intended to interfere, so she shared this information with Mu Haiyao.

Luo Qinglian, along with He Lianxin, met with the Lord An. The Lord An inquired about how He Lianxin treated Luo Qinglian, and she replied that he treated her well. The Lord An informed her that there was more to it than just being treated well; He Lianxin treated her the same way he treated everyone. He insinuated that He Lianxin was not being overly affectionate. Although He Lianxin had not yet grasped his father's intentions, he believed it wouldn't be a bad thing. Mu Haiyao had a miscarriage, and it was Mistress Mo who had orchestrated this incident, framing Luo Qinglian for it. Upon returning to the mansion, Luo Qinglian was taken to Mu Haiyao's room. She saw the stillborn baby and then Mu Haiyao produced the missing hairpin. Luo Qinglian realized she was in trouble and tried to escape, but the servants blocked the door. At that moment, the legitimate wife and Mistress Mo arrived, and Luo Qinglian came up with a plan to pretend that everything was fine and that she had not suffered any harm.

The legitimate wife noticed that Mu Haiyao appeared pale and unwell. Although Mu Haiyao tried to conceal her condition, the legitimate wife wanted to visit her room, and Mu Haiyao's attempt to stop her raised suspicions. Fortunately, Luo Qinglian intervened and helped Mu Haiyao deceive the legitimate wife. She also mentioned that the maid of Mistress Mo, Banqiu, had found her hairpin, causing Mistress Mo to deny it. The legitimate wife believed Luo Qinglian and assumed that Mu Haiyao was fine. She also deduced that it was Mistress Mo who was behind Mu Haiyao's fall. The legitimate wife advised Mistress Mo to rest and not come out before childbirth, and then she left.

Mu Haiyao went to see another concubine, Lady Rou, and told her about Luo Qinglian's assistance. Lady Rou was surprised at how fast Luo Qinglian had grown in just five months. Mu Haiyao thought that if Luo Qinglian truly surrendered, it could be a good thing, but Lady Rou was suspicious and decided to test her.

Mu Haiyao continued acting as if she were pregnant. She purposely had her attendants and the physician walk by Luo Qinglian and Lady Rou. They talked about her experiencing a miscarriage, which was all staged by Mu Haiyao. She did this to test Luo Qinglian and to strip the legitimate wife of her control over the household's daily affairs. The legitimate wife heard about Mu Haiyao's supposed miscarriage and sent her maids to check on her. Mu Haiyao played her part in front of the maids and even made one of them, Ru Hua, appear as if she held a grudge against her. Mu Haiyao acted as if she had been wronged and put on a convincing performance, even adding something to the medicine. The legitimate wife's maids saw this and rushed back to report to her.

Luo Qinglian sensed that something was amiss and hoped the legitimate wife would not go. Although the legitimate wife resented Mu Haiyao, she didn't want to see harm come to He Lianxin's child. She went to intervene but discovered that it was all a staged act. Mu Haiyao had colluded with the physician, and they acted out a scene in front of He Lianxin to convince the legitimate wife that she was unwell. He Lianxin advised the legitimate wife to rest and handed over the household matters to Mu Haiyao.

After this test, Mu Haiyao began to trust Luo Qinglian, believing she could be useful. However, Lady Rou had a different opinion and suspected Luo Qinglian's motives. To send a message, she gifted Luo Qinglian a spider, revealing her own intelligence and influence.

The Second Young Master started selling calligraphy and paintings in the street to repay debts. Upon learning of this, He Lianxin and Luo Qinglian went to the scene to investigate. They discovered that the Crown Prince's attendants were deliberately obstructing the officials responsible for collecting debts, making it difficult to recover the money. He Lianxin learned that the treasury had a practice of having workers strip and shout when exiting to prove they were not stealing money. However, even with these measures, money was still frequently disappearing. He Lianxin came up with a plan and prepared ginger soup with laxatives for the workers to drink. The intention was to flush out anyone stealing money. The Second Young Master heard about this and was shocked by He Lianxin's unorthodox approach. His wife's brother was involved in stealing money, and she begged him to save their only male heir. With no other option, the Second Young Master promised to help. His first step was to repay the debts, and even Song An couldn't stop him from doing so, as he was surprised by the Second Young Master's decision.

Luo Qinglian went to visit Mu Haiyao and Lady Rou, but she was told that He Lianxin wanted to take her to his favorite place. This made Mu Haiyao jealous, as she knew that He Lianxin had never taken his wives and concubines there before. Luo Qinglian remained silent. Later, as per He Lianxin's instructions, Su Nanchun brought a box of jewelry for Mu Haiyao. Mu Haiyao asked Luo Qinglian to pick one, and she chose the smallest one, which she wore as instructed. When Lady Rou saw the bracelet, she recognized it as a valuable one. Luo Qinglian claimed it was a family heirloom that she always wore. After Luo Qinglian left, Lady Rou accidentally knocked over the snacks she had brought, which angered Mu Haiyao. Lady Rou believed Luo Qinglian was untrustworthy, but Mu Haiyao thought otherwise and told Lady Rou to rest, reminding her not to let accidents like dropping plates happen again.

He Lianxin took Luo Qinglian to Bai Zhen Lane under the guise of going shopping, but he was actually gathering information. Many people were selling their antique calligraphy and paintings to repay debts, allowing He Lianxin to learn about their intentions. His every move was under Lord An's watchful eye. The eunuch believed that He Lianxin's unique approach in debt collection was part of Lord An's test. However, Lord An found the situation strangely calm and sensed that something more significant would happen later.

He Lianxin learned that Lady Mo's father, Minister Li, was selling his artwork to repay the debt, even though the pawnshop owner considered the items of low quality. He Lianxin bought the artwork and personally delivered it to Minister Li, stating that other people borrowed money for their own extravagance, but Minister Li was trying to help disaster victims. He praised Minister Li as a good official and hoped to ease his debt. He couldn't do much more but wished for a safe birth for Lady Mo's child, whom he would care for diligently.

As He Lianxin was about to leave, he noticed his sister Yuan Xue, who had disguised herself as a man. But Yuan Xue spotted him and hurriedly left. She accidentally entered the Li family's residence and stumbled upon the dead body of Minister Li, who had been assassinated. Pursued by the assassin, Yuan Xue and her maids got separated. She eventually ended up in a restaurant sitting next to a man and hoped he would help her. When she escaped, she took the man's wine flask. The man was Lu Beiyi, and the wine flask was a gift from Luo Qinglian. Lu Beiyi wanted it back and coincidentally saved Yuan Xue's life. The assassin proved no match for Lu Beiyi, who swiftly defeated him.

In the evening, Luo Qinglian personally visited Lady Rou. Lady Rou warned her that the bracelet given to her by Mu Haiyao wasn't suitable and might be too tight. Luo Qinglian noticed that Lady Rou's hands were ice-cold, which struck her as odd. She wondered why Lady Rou intended to visit the ice house and what she planned to do there. Later, in the ice house, Luo Qinglian discovered Mu Haiyao's dead baby and realized that Mu Haiyao had been attempting to exchange children. Lady Ye also stumbled upon this secret and planned to use it to threaten Mu Haiyao. However, Mu Haiyao had her maids poison Lady Ye. Despite being close to death, Lady Ye went to see the legitimate wife and revealed Mu Haiyao's sinister plot.

Meanwhile, Mu Haiyao learned that Minister Li had committed suicide. She purposely spread the news, which led to Lady Mo going into labor prematurely. Mu Haiyao also falsely claimed that she had a premature birth. The legitimate wife, upon hearing the news, tried to see Mu Haiyao, but Mu Haiyao's maids prevented her from entering the room.

Mu Haiyao and Lady Mo gave birth simultaneously. Since Lady Mo had learned about Mu Haiyao's intention to exchange children, she went to check on her under the pretense of a visit. However, she faced various obstacles, so she decided to seek help from Luo Qinglian to prevent this tragedy. Meanwhile, He Lianxin, who was escorting the treasury silver, fell into an ambush. Luo Qinglian urgently went to rescue He Lianxin. Despite Lady Mo kneeling to beg her, Luo Qinglian chose to leave. She couldn't reveal the reason for her departure, leaving Lady Mo to misunderstand, but her priority was saving He Lianxin and securing the future of Qu Liang.

On Mu Haiyao's side, she had bribed the midwife and successfully exchanged the child. Lady Rong informed Lady Mo and Luo Qinglian about this, and Lady Mo congratulated Luo Qinglian on making the right choice for her mistress. Even Lady Rong felt that Luo Qinglian was no longer the same as before.

Thanks to Lu Beiyi's assistance, He Lianxin defeated the attackers who intended to steal the silver. Lu Beiyi expressed his desire to work for He Lianxin and help him achieve his ambitions, which would also lead to Lu Beiyi being freed from his servile status. He Lianxin was somewhat surprised by Lu Beiyi's willingness to help, but he appreciated having a talented and capable person by his side to provide strategic advice.

He Lianxin believed the attackers were commoners, but Lu Beiyi explained that the people of Qu Liang wouldn't know how to use such weapons, indicating that these were disguised assassins sent to kill him. One of the wounded attackers managed to escape and reported the failure of their mission to the Crown Prince and Yuan Baili. They had also drugged Yuan Xue and intended to stage her death as if she had been killed by the bandits. However, Yuan Xue emerged unscathed and returned to He Lianxin's side.

Luo Qinglian brought several carts of items seized by He Lianxin over the years to find him. She knew that the Crown Prince had made his choice, and she had to decide whether to align with the Crown Prince or Fourth Young Master. She chose to rely on the Crown Prince's power first, believing it was the best way to gradually build her own influence. Luo Qinglian informed He Lianxin that Lord An wanted him to handle the treasury debt collection matter to establish a three-legged power structure, rather than assisting one of the princes in eliminating the other. This would stabilize the political situation.

In this meeting, Luo Qinglian also met Lu Beiyi, who had been seeking. Lu Beiyi told her that he was now He Lianxin's strategist. He believed that only by helping He Lianxin achieve his ambitions could he escape his servile status. Luo Qinglian felt guilty, believing that she had brought misfortune upon Lu Beiyi and his family. She swore to help him eliminate his servile status, even though they were now assisting He Lianxin in their quest for power. Their future could never return to how it once was.

Since Mu Haiyao gave birth, other women in the mansion began to flatter her. Mu Haiyao was naturally delighted, and she also heard about Lady Mo kneeling to beg Luo Qinglian for help. When Luo Qinglian did not help Lady Mo, Mu Haiyao considered her as her own. However, Lady Rong was furious, feeling that there should be a limit to their acting. Mu Haiyao believed that, despite getting closer to Luo Qinglian, she was still using her. Lady Rong decided not to visit Mu Haiyao anymore, claiming that she had someone else to help her now.

He Lianxin's successful collection of the treasury silver was celebrated by Lord An, who organized a banquet to honor him. He invited Lady Mo and Luo Qinglian to join the celebration. During the banquet, Lord An awarded three ladies with fans and let them choose their own. Mu Haiyao engaged in a struggle with Lady Mo to test Lord An's loyalty. She believed that as long as Lord An stood by her side, Lady Mo wouldn't dare to harm her. However, before Lord An could decide, Fifth Young Master presented a memorial signed by various officials expressing their dissatisfaction with He Lianxin. This was an unexpected turn of events.

The Crown Prince arrived at this moment, seemingly to report on He Lianxin. He claimed to have secretly followed him, intending to take revenge. However, he discovered that He Lianxin treated corrupt officials and upright officials differently. He even used his own money to repay the debt of the upright officials. The Crown Prince's actions shocked everyone present. Nonetheless, Fifth Young Master did not back down. He brought in Wang Wu, the leader of the bandits from that day. In front of Lord An, Wang Wu pleaded for mercy, explaining that he was just an ordinary civilian seeking justice, not knowing that most of the people had been killed by He Lianxin. Although Wang Wu was coerced by Fifth Young Master, He Lianxin had indeed killed those people. Wang Wu's defense muddled He Lianxin's explanation, but Lord An still wanted to hear his side.

At a critical moment, Mu Haiyao's brother, Mu Tianshu, produced Wang Wu's wanted notice. Wang Wu had been a fugitive for over a decade, wanted for murder, and the people with him were also criminals. They were not law-abiding citizens. Lord An saw this and had Wang Wu taken away for lawful punishment. This unexpected turn of events made Fifth Young Master apologize to his father. Lord An handed over the matter to He Lianxin for resolution. Surprisingly, He Lianxin didn't seize the opportunity to deal with Fifth Young Master but instead hoped his father would spare him this time. Lord An was quite pleased with He Lianxin. Fifth Young Master realized he had made a fool of himself that day and chose to go home for self-reflection.

With this matter resolved, Lord An rewarded Mu Tianshu. Since Mu Haiyao liked the fan that had just broken, Lord An, appreciating her giving birth to an exceptional child and her brother's contributions, decided to gift her a fan similar to Lady Mo's. He mentioned they would arrange to have another one made later. He asked Mu Haiyao to personally give the fan to Lady Mo. However, the fan broke in Mu Haiyao's hand, and Lord An interpreted it as jealousy and a lack of satisfaction. But Mu Haiyao had no idea about the fan's significance. Mu Tianshu wanted to plead for his sister, but Lord An questioned if he was becoming arrogant, so Mu Tianshu remained silent. Lord An ordered He Lianxin to handle Mu Haiyao, who was demoted to a commoner and sent to a residence in the southern suburbs. He Lianxin didn't understand why his father made this decision, but Luo Qinglian helped him unravel the mystery. Previously, Luo Qinglian heard from Jin Fang that Lord An disliked nepotism. So after marrying Lord An, the late queen distanced herself from her family. Lord An needed He Lianxin to have his own faction, and to do that, he needed something to suppress the Crown Prince. Mu Haiyao became the lever to do so. As for why Mu Haiyao fought over the fan, Lord An already understood her character. He was confident that she would choose the peony fan, so she deliberately contested it with Lady Mo, taking this step in his plan.

Lady Mo finally learned that Luo Qinglian had been seeking vengeance for Hui'er step by step. Mu Haiyao's fate was terrible, and Lady Mo was grateful for everything Luo Qinglian had done. Since Luo Qinglian had avenged Hui'er, she returned Hui'er's bracelet to Lady Mo. With Mu Haiyao no longer in the picture, they hoped for a peaceful and harmonious life moving forward.

He Lianxin went to find Fourth Young Master and playfully threatened him. Fourth Young Master knew he had lost and ended up pretending to be ignorant, drinking tea with He Lianxin. He Lianxin chose to spare him. Fourth Young Master's primary wife didn't expect He Lianxin to win this time, and Mu Haiyao's influence waned. Her predictions proved accurate, as Luo Qinglian was indeed formidable. Mu Haiyao wasn't the type to back down. She was planning to make her move, and only by destroying He Lianxin could Fourth Young Master have a chance to ascend the title.

He Lianxin agreed to let Lu Beiyi be his strategist, and they returned to the mansion. They happened to see Mu Haiyao preparing to depart for the southern suburb villa. He took this opportunity to publicly announce Lu Beiyi's identity, settling the past. He didn't want to hear anyone gossiping about Lu Beiyi. Mu Haiyao hoped to take her child with her, but He Lianxin entrusted the child to Madam Mo for care, stating that a child should not be separated from its mother. He knew about Mu Haiyao's child-switching, but he hadn't exposed it, allowing her to maintain her dignity.

Seeing this, Mu Haiyao requested that Luo Qinglian accompany her to the southern suburb villa, as the journey was long. He Lianxin agreed, but he and Lu Beiyi continued to follow them. They remained vigilant because they were unsure of Mu Haiyao's true intentions. As expected, Mu Haiyao pushed Luo Qinglian off the carriage. Fortunately, Luo Qinglian was not seriously hurt, only frightened. While unconscious, she repeatedly called Lu Beiyi's name. Upon waking, her first thought was of Lu Beiyi. She worried that Lu Beiyi might have injured himself while saving her, indebting her further to him. Remembering Mu Haiyao's earlier words about He Lianxin, Luo Qinglian wanted to hear He Lianxin's true feelings. To her surprise, He Lianxin did feel that way, which created a rift between them. Mu Haiyao's goal had been to make He Lianxin feel the same pain. He Lianxin never expected Luo Qinglian to leave him and declared that she could never forgive him. He angrily ordered Luo Qinglian to leave his bed. This development posed a significant threat to Lady Mo as she would become a true resident of the Lord's residence. Her future role was now uncertain.

The following morning, Luo Qinglian, feeling distraught, left He Lianxin's room and began to sharpen a hairpin in her courtyard. She intended to use it to kill He Lianxin but was stopped by Second Young Master. He shared with Luo Qinglian some details about He Lianxin's childhood and the cloak He Lianxin had gifted her, which had been torn. This cloak held great importance to He Lianxin. He had been sent to Lady Virtuous' care when he was very young, only returning to his birth mother, Lady Virtuous, when he was nine. During this period, Lady Virtuous had shown favoritism to him. She had even taken away the cloak that Lord An had rewarded to He Lianxin. Lady Virtuous saw this happen, so she personally made a cloak for He Lianxin. He cherished it to this day and gave it to Luo Qinglian. This action demonstrated his genuine affection for her. Second Young Master was raised by He Lianxin, so he knew his brother well. He wanted to convey that He Lianxin was not as carefree and nonchalant as he appeared. He was sensitive because he had never received his parents' love. He only knew that completing tasks would lead to rewards, while failure resulted in punishments. So, he wore a mask throughout his life.

Luo Qinglian was not heartless either. While she resented He Lianxin, if he could genuinely reveal his feelings, she wouldn't remain indifferent. In the evening, Luo Qinglian was taken by Su Nanchun to accompany He Lianxin for a drink. He Lianxin gave Luo Qinglian the opportunity to kill him.

Lu Beiyi learned about Luo Qinglian's night with He Lianxin and was furious. He also wanted to kill He Lianxin, but his rationality made him abandon the idea. In the evening, he drank with Yuan Xue, who was concerned about his despondent state. However, Luo Qinglian didn't actually kill He Lianxin. She got very drunk and acted irrationally towards him. He Lianxin allowed her to sleep in his bed and arranged for Dongli to look after her. The next morning, Luo Qinglian woke up, feeling embarrassed about her drunken behavior. She saw a letter left by He Lianxin. He Lianxin didn't want her to hate him, so if Luo Qinglian didn't want to be in harmony with him, they would agree to maintain a gentleman's agreement not to cross each other.

With old acquaintances departing, new ones naturally arrived. A maid named Nan Ruzhen moved into Lord An's mansion. She was intelligent and skilled at making insincere flattery sound genuinely sincere. Luo Qinglian didn't want to think poorly of her and hoped that she was overly suspicious. However, the theater was mysteriously set on fire. Luo Qinglian didn't have time to think much about it but immediately thought of the cloak. She risked her life to retrieve it from the blaze. Nan Ruzhen watched silently from behind.

Li Tang was observant and noticed a maidservant who had left in a hurry when the theater was on fire in the morning. When he sent the repaired cloak back to Qiege Park, he saw the same maidservant entering Nan Ruzhen's residence. At that time, Nan Ruzhen was still at Qiege Park, pretending to help extinguish the fire with the intention of meeting He Lianxin.

Luo Qinglian wanted to inform He Lianxin about the truth of the fire but found Nan Ruzhen at the Qiege Park gate. Su Nanchun was supposed to inform He Lianxin, but Nan Ruzhen's maid intercepted him. She helped Su Nanchun by telling He Lianxin that a maidservant wanted to meet him, without revealing that it was Luo Qinglian. He Lianxin, who was listening to Nan Ruzhen sing opera, decisively declined the meeting. Luo Qinglian knew this would be the result and decided to wait. However, Nan Ruzhen's maid deliberately delayed Luo Qinglian. He Lianxin was in high spirits and didn't want to be disturbed. The maid felt sympathetic for Luo Qinglian having to wait until late and offered to relay the message to He Lianxin early the next day. Luo Qinglian then left. She understood that when someone was highly favored, a mere fire wouldn't matter.

Nan Ruzhen and her maid were introduced by Fourth Young Master's primary wife to gain control of Lord An's residence. The maid was especially crafty, and even Nan Ruzhen was somewhat wary of her. Their goal was to seize control of Lord An's residence. The next day, the primary wife rewarded Nan Ruzhen with many things. He Lianxin saw this but considered it insufficient, so he immediately appointed Nan Ruzhen as a secondary wife.

When He Lianxin saw Luo Qinglian's handkerchief at the gate, he realized she had visited the previous night and couldn't contain his surprise. The handkerchief was placed there intentionally by Lady Rong because she had overheard Luo Qinglian mention the fire and its connection to Nan Ruzhen. She had seen Luo Qinglian's handkerchief and seized the opportunity to place it at the gate. This way, He Lianxin would realize that he should go and find Luo Qinglian.

Sure enough, He Lianxin went to Qiege Park, but Luo Qinglian was not available to meet him. He later learned that she had fainted and was worried. Lu Beiyi examined her and confirmed that Luo Qinglian was pregnant. He Lianxin was overjoyed and pampered Luo Qinglian. He was delighted and expressed his happiness to Luo Qinglian, who, instead of sharing his joy, thought about Huier and worried about the future. She thought about leaving, and He Lianxin overheard her. Knowing that he couldn't change her mind, he decided to inform his father. Lord An was also very happy and rewarded Luo Qinglian heavily.

Lord  was angry when he learned about Luo Qinglian's desire to leave. However, when he heard that Luo Qinglian wanted to give the child a peaceful life, he was moved and agreed. But as Luo Qinglian looked at Lord's back, thinking about his favoritism toward her, she couldn't bear to leave immediately. She asked for some more time, and Lord didn't turn back but only smiled.

On Yuan Bairi's side, he had been worried about the future of the heir, especially with Luo Qinglian being pregnant. The outcome of who would inherit the title remained uncertain. He Lianxin had never been afraid or concerned about anything before, but this time he was genuinely caught by Luo Qinglian. He would do his best to protect her and their child.

Luo Qinglian's belly was growing bigger by the day. She and Lady Rong were making clothes for the child. He Lianxin sent supplements, but since Luo Qinglian couldn't consume all of them, she thought of giving them to Lady Rong. However, Lady Rong's room was already filled with things, and there was no more space to store them. Luo Qinglian didn't insist, so she went with Lady Rong to visit Lady Rou. However, Lady Rou wasn't there, and the servants were evasive, nearly revealing Lady Rou's illness. Lady Rong found Lady Rou untrustworthy, but Luo Qinglian believed that Lady Rou, despite her ruthlessness, had a strong character and might be of use to her in the future.

Yesterday, Luo Qinglian received Lady Rou's gift of blood swallows. In return, Lady Rou sent over clothes that she had prepared during her own pregnancy, covering different months. However, she had a miscarriage at six months, caused by Lady Ye. Lady Rou selected a garment for Luo Qinglian to wear and took her outside. Luo Qinglian didn't expect Lady Rou to have suffered so much and lost her qualification to be a mother.

There was an issue with the clothes Lady Rou gave Luo Qinglian. She was initially coerced by Lady Mo to harm Luo Qinglian's child, but halfway through, she regretted it and wanted to leave with Luo Qinglian to change the clothes. However, Luo Qinglian thought the weather was pleasant, and since they were already out, they might as well take a stroll. When they entered a small forest, Lady Rou, citing discomfort, wanted to leave with Luo Qinglian. Unbeknownst to them, Lady Mo had arranged for someone to ambush them, waiting for Luo Qinglian to appear.

After hearing the secret signal, Lady Rou quickly left, and Luo Qinglian followed. They ran into a large dog, but fortunately, Lu Beiyi arrived in time to kick the dog away. He Lianxin and Lady An also rushed there, and Luo Qinglian was unharmed. The people arranged by Lady Mo were caught by Su Nanchun.

Lady Mo wanted to distance herself from the situation, but Lady An's maid, Zui Liu, saw them release the dog. Fearing something might go wrong, Zui Liu reported to Lady An, and Lady An and He Lianxin happened to be together. What happened next was seen by everyone. Lady Mo's servant eventually confessed that she was the one Lady Mo had arranged to do this, in exchange for He Lianxin sparing her family. She then committed suicide on the spot. As a result, Lady Mo was stripped of her position as a secondary wife and imprisoned in the Cold Palace, while her child would be raised by Lady An.

Lu Beiyi noticed that Lady Rou had the same scent as Luo Qinglian, which likely attracted the dog. She could have used this to get Lady Rou punished, but she lied to protect her. Lady Rou was grateful and went to Lianwei Residence to thank Luo Qinglian. Luo Qinglian knew that Lady Rou had initially wanted to save her but later gave up the idea. Lady Rou didn't say much but mentioned that she had ulterior motives from the beginning. At this point, Lu Beiyi arrived and had already noticed that Lady Rou was suffering from the Heart-Eating Poison. Those affected by this poison would die within half a year, and the process was particularly painful. Lady Rou was already showing severe symptoms.

The poison that Lady Rou was afflicted with was administered by Mu Haiyao. Even though she was trapped in the Southern Suburb Residence, she still had her ways of controlling Lady Rou. Lady Rou, upon seeing Luo Qinglian, Lady Rong, and their kind treatment, realized that there was genuine affection in the world. However, she believed she was undeserving of it. Lu Beiyi still wanted to help Lady Rou, and He Lianxin granted him the freedom to come and go from Lianwei Residence to help her. Lu Beiyi would treat her for the next three days, but the outcome was uncertain, as it depended on Lady Rou's fate whether she would survive.

Through this incident, Luo Qinglian gradually began to feel the life inside her belly. She was looking forward to the child's arrival, hoping they could depend on each other. He Lianxin overheard this, and it saddened him that no matter what he did, Luo Qinglian couldn't see him as family. He had initially come to give Luo Qinglian a ring, which she had mentioned she liked before, so he had it specially made. However, now that the ring remained unsent, he decided to distance himself from Luo Qinglian to avoid making her unhappy.

The removal of Lady Mo was facilitated by Nan Ruzhen informing Lady An. But Lady An had Lady Ruzhen's movements under control, and Zui Liu had seen her meet with Lady Si. Lady Ruzhen denied it, but Lady An had no reason to believe her. Luo Qinglian's sister, Shui Lan, moved into Lianwei Residence to keep her sister company. Shui Lan played the flute in the park, and He Lianxin, mistaking her for Luo Qinglian, later realized she was her sister. He offered to take Shui Lan back to Lianwei Residence to see Luo Qinglian. Coincidentally, he met Luo Qinglian, who found the ring prepared by He Lianxin at her doorstep, which surprised her as she didn't expect He Lianxin to remember her preferences. With only a month left until her child's birth, Dongli couldn't bear to see Luo Qinglian and He Lianxin fight any longer. He Lianxin was the child's father, and his treatment of Lianwei Residence and Luo Qinglian was no less than that of the primary wife. She felt that Luo Qinglian should no longer be angry with He Lianxin. Luo Qinglian was convinced and decided to find He Lianxin, carrying the ring with her.

Shui Lan had a completely different personality from Luo Qinglian. She was arrogant and vain, often scolding servants and even hitting Zhiyue. An infuriated Luo Qinglian slapped Shui Lan, who ran outside, where she met Nan Ruzhen. Nan Ruzhen seized the opportunity to show Shui Lan some clothes and jewelry. Shui Lan's vanity made her eyes sparkle, not realizing that she had fallen into Nan Ruzhen's trap. Nan Ruzhen left Shui Lan at her residence, and Luo Qinglian arranged for her servants to search for Shui Lan outside. The estate was left with only Luo Qinglian. Nan Ruzhen believed that her chance had come. She arranged for her maidservant to deceive Luo Qinglian and bring her to her residence.

Then Nan Ruzhen pretended to be ill and asked someone to find He Lianxin. However, Luo Qinglian experienced a false labor pain. Lu Beiyi arrived and examined her, but He Lianxin saw them, and in a fit of anger, he decided that even if the child was born, he wouldn't let Luo Qinglian be the child's mother. However, Luo Qinglian didn't want the child to call anyone else "mother" like Sier. So she went to find He Lianxin, only to see Nan Ruzhen entering his residence. She attempted to follow but tripped and experienced a miscarriage. Li Tang came to find He Lianxin but was blocked by Nan Ruzhen's maidservant. Helpless, Lady Rou went to get Lu Beiyi. Now, not only the child but also Luo Qinglian's life was in danger, and with no midwife, Lady Rou had to assist Luo Qinglian in giving birth.

Luo Qinglian's child didn't survive; he passed away. She knelt at He Lianxin's doorstep, holding the child. When He Lianxin woke up and learned about what happened the previous night, he was also deeply saddened. However, Luo Qinglian held a grudge against him for saying that he wasn't worthy of being a mother. He Lianxin explained that it was just an angry remark and that he genuinely cared for Luo Qinglian. But she had lost all hope in him, believing he had been insincere. He Lianxin, in frustration, questioned if Luo Qinglian's feelings for Lu Beiyi were genuine, and in a fit of anger, Luo Qinglian decided to sever all ties with He Lianxin. She took off the ring and threw it, causing it to hit a stone pillar and break in two. Then she fainted.

When Luo Qinglian regained consciousness, she asked He Lianxin to demote her to a commoner and let her move to another residence, and He Lianxin agreed. Yigongzi was very surprised to learn about this, as he hadn't expected He Lianxin to agree so easily. After all, Luo Qinglian still had a significant role in front of Lord An, and this decision would be hard to explain to Lord An.

Before leaving, both Lady Rong and Lady Rou came to see her off. Although Luo Qinglian had lost all hope, Lady Rou reminded her that this wasn't an accident; it was a conspiracy by Nan Ruzhen. However, Lady Rou didn't know the exact methods used by Nan Ruzhen. She mentioned that to find justice, one would have to seek it themselves. Luo Qinglian noted Lady Rou's words, determined to live and seek revenge for her deceased child.

Zhan Yu received a box of items from her master. Her older brother was also given a small official position by their master. This way, their family would have a better life. Zhan Yu knew that she didn't have much time left, but she had no regrets about trading her life for her family's honor.

Lord An learned about Luo Qinglian losing her child and being expelled. He asked He Lianxin for an explanation. Lord An was well aware of He Lianxin's actions the previous night, but He Lianxin hadn't restricted anyone from coming in or going out. Lord An brought the information about Zhan Yu falsely relaying orders to him. She chose to take her own life but left a note shifting the blame to the eldest son, also writing that she killed Luo Qinglian's unborn child. The eldest son had no knowledge of these events and didn't even know Zhan Yu. He realized that the fourth son had framed him, but no matter how he explained, Lord An refused to believe him.

To protect the eldest son, Yuan Baili stepped up and took the blame for him. Seeing the situation unfold, Lord An understood that the matter was more complicated. He decided to imprison the eldest son temporarily, while Yuan Baili's fate would be discussed later. The incident brought He Lianxin's attention to the fourth son. Afterward, Lord An found Yuan Baili to have a drink. Yuan Baili had been by Lord An's side for many years. He had once helped Lord An leave the capital and had been his right-hand man after they arrived in Qu Liang. Lord An thanked him for taking the blame for the eldest son, but Yuan Baili refused, unwilling to tarnish his own reputation because of the eldest son.

Yuan Baili felt that he was in his twilight years and that his only wish was for the eldest son to be safe. He hoped that Lord An would bestow a heavy punishment on him. Lord An had a drink and then left. When Luo Qinglian arrived at the Southern Suburb Residence, she found that the door had been broken, knowing it was the work of Mu Haiyao. The house she was assigned was particularly run-down, and Dongli couldn't bear to see her in such conditions.

The two caretakers at the Southern Suburb Residence were probably following Mu Haiyao's orders as they intentionally arranged for Luo Qinglian to stay in a very rundown house. Dongli felt sympathetic for Luo Qinglian's situation, but she didn't want to cause any more trouble. She considered herself just a discarded woman with no grievances. On the floor, Luo Qinglian saw the broken ring, which was secretly picked up by Dongli because she couldn't bear to see it go to waste. The living conditions were very poor, and Dongli and Li Tang took out their cotton clothes to use as blankets for Luo Qinglian. She told them that there was no distinction between master and servant anymore and returned the clothes to Li Tang. As for Dongli, she agreed to share the blanket with her. While it was cold there, what warmed Luo Qinglian's heart was Dongli and Li Tang's loyalty.

Mu Haiyao learned that Luo Qinglian had arrived and specifically sought out two caretakers, Mao Da and Mao Er. She gave each of them 250 taels of silver, hoping that the Mao brothers could help her torment Luo Qinglian.

Yuan Baili passed away, leaving the eldest son with no one to rely on. This created an opportunity for the fourth son to make his move. However, Lu Beiyi believed that the fourth son was calculating and steady in his actions. He wouldn't act without absolute certainty. The fourth son saw Lu Beiyi and stopped him, hoping that Lu Beiyi could assist him. If successful, he promised to lift Lu Beiyi's disgrace and arrange for Luo Qinglian to marry him.

Mao Da and Mao Er intentionally fed Luo Qinglian and the others spoiled rice, but surprisingly, Luo Qinglian and her companions ate it all. Luo Qinglian educated Li Tang and Dongli that they needed to eat well so they would have the strength to return the pain they endured to those who had harmed them. Mu Haiyao heard the news and couldn't understand how Luo Qinglian had become so submissive.

At night, Lu Beiyi came to find Luo Qinglian, wanting to take her away and never return to Qu Liang. But Luo Qinglian needed to wait for the news from Lady Rou and Lady Rou, as she had to know the truth about her child's death. It was her previous actions that had caused Lu Beiyi's demotion, and she didn't want to hinder him any further.

Luo Qinglian took some silver and went to see Mao Da and Mao Er. While the amount was much less than what Mu Haiyao had given them, she wanted to be their new master. If they didn't accept the silver, it would still be a good thing for a person who had already experienced death to have two more companions. When Mao Da and Mao Er saw Luo Qinglian take out a knife, they were frightened and accepted the money. They even raised their cups to toast Luo Qinglian.

From then on, Luo Qinglian lived happily in the other residence. She could peacefully coexist with Mu Haiyao, and she enjoyed listening to the Mao brothers' stories every day. Two years later, Nan Ruzhen was promoted to the side consort. Luo Qinglian knew that the time for Lord An's hunting expedition was approaching, so she discussed a plan with Lu Beiyi. They wanted the eldest son to stop Lord An, but they presented the case from the perspective of the common people. The hunting expedition would block their way and affect the autumn harvest for the farmers. At first, Lord An was very angry, but after hearing the eldest son's reasoning, he unexpectedly felt relieved. He was pleased to see that his son now considered the well-being of the common people. This was also thanks to He Lianxin helping to speak on the eldest son's behalf. Lord An decided to take the eldest son with him on the hunting expedition, and Lu Beiyi informed Luo Qinglian after hearing the news.

During the hunting expedition, the fourth son won, which pleased Lord An. He rewarded the fourth son with a rifle. The eldest son felt jealous. Afterward, he complained to He Lianxin that his father was biased. At this moment, Lu Beiyi brought in a rifle, a gift for Lord An, which was originally meant for He Lianxin to inspect. However, the eldest son took a liking to it, and He Lianxin signaled to Lu Beiyi to remove the rifle from the list of offerings.

Lord An arranged for someone to invite the eldest son and instructed him to bring the rifle. The eldest son was surprised that his father had learned about the matter and was constantly humiliating him. In reality, Lord An was extremely disappointed in his eldest son, which led to his behavior. Lord An had his youngest son, Ninth Young Master, and the eldest son compete in marksmanship. Ninth Young Master had been practicing with a rifle and hit a teacup with his first shot. He then handed the rifle to the eldest son, who, in a fit of anger, shot Ninth Young Master. Although Ninth Young Master was injured, he asked Lord An not to blame the eldest son, as it would deter him from using a rifle. Lord An explained to the outside world that Ninth Young Master had contracted an acute illness. He believed that if he didn't demote the eldest son, he should still have concerns for him.

Young Master Xiu heard that Lord An hadn't deposed the eldest son, so he decided to help further. Lu Beiyi deliberately arranged for the guards around the eldest son to get close to Lord An. He seized the opportunity to reveal the eldest son's plan to assassinate Lord An. Lord An was taken aback by the disloyalty and injustice in his son's heart. He wanted to be alone and coincidentally met Luo Qinglian and her group, who were working in the fields.

Luo Qinglian had a brief conversation with Lord An. Based on the constantly dying birds, Lord An subtly warned Luo Qinglian that people would pay the price for their greed. When parting ways, Lord An also mentioned that Luo Qinglian would probably leave the other residence soon. Without orders from the eldest son, she couldn't leave, indicating that He Lianxin had lost his influence and couldn't make decisions anymore. So, Luo Qinglian hurried back to the camp and intercepted He Lianxin, who was about to find Lord An and the eldest son. She informed He Lianxin of her encounter with Lord An and their conversation. It seemed that Lord An had already believed the slander and was waiting for them to fall into a trap.

He Lianxin didn't want to see the eldest son harmed, so he planned to find the eldest son. However, Luo Qinglian stopped him, hoping that he would trust her this one time. Before she could finish speaking, soldiers who had been lying in ambush captured her child. Her child was also found to be carrying a dagger. Lu Beiyi had sneakily placed the dagger on the child while speaking to him earlier. The eldest son denied that it was his dagger, but Lord An wouldn't believe him. He Lianxin thanked Luo Qinglian for saving him, but he couldn't understand why she had helped him when he had caused the death of their child and let her suffer. In the end, the eldest son's title was revoked, and he was imprisoned in his mansion.

Under threat from Nan Ruzhen, Mao Da and Mao Er were ordered to poison Luo Qinglian, but when they received warm clothing that Luo Qinglian had personally sewn for them, Mao Da was touched and had second thoughts. He wanted to stop, but his brother Mao Er prevented him from doing so. Luo Qinglian had already sensed something was amiss and pretended to be poisoned. She went to find the Mao brothers, and Mao Da was reluctant to betray her. He wanted to reveal the truth but was killed before he could say anything. Two mysterious figures entered, killed Mao Er, and fortunately, Lu Beiyi arrived in time to save Luo Qinglian. Before his death, Mao Er revealed that Nan Ruzhen was the mastermind.

Once again, it was Nan Ruzhen. Luo Qinglian believed that the time had come to return, so she pretended to be insane, waiting for He Lianxin to arrive. He Lianxin indeed rushed to the other residence after hearing the news. He had been taking care of Luo Qinglian all along. On the other hand, Mu Haiyao was waiting for He Lianxin to come and visit her. But He Lianxin didn't show up at all. Instead, he went back to prepare many things and personally brought them to Luo Qinglian. He also went with Su Nanchun to buy medicine for her. He Lianxin had not taken care of Lord An's affairs for a long time, and these days he had some work to do. However, Luo Qinglian pretended to run out of medicine, and Li Tang was worried that He Lianxin would be shunned by Lord An. But Luo Qinglian asked him to go ahead and deliver the message.

As expected, He Lianxin gave up his duties to take care of Luo Qinglian, allowing Young Master Xiu to gain an advantage. Lu Beiyi saw Young Master Xiu's smug demeanor and felt that he was celebrating too early. Lu Beiyi had no idea what Luo Qinglian was planning.

Luo Qinglian was on the roof, pretending to be a bird, and she wanted He Lianxin to join her. He Lianxin didn't expect to go along with her act of madness, but he was happy to see her smile. He cautiously climbed onto the roof. Later, Dongliu remembered that He Lianxin had a fear of heights. Luo Qinglian wanted to take him back down, but they accidentally stepped on an unstable part of the roof and fell down. Fortunately, they were not injured, and He Lianxin only briefly lost consciousness. Luo Qinglian looked at him, feeling guilty and in pain, but she had to act foolish to uncover the truth.

Luo Qinglian asked Mu Haiyao for help and intentionally placed herself in Lord An's resting camp. She feigned an intense longing for her child in front of Lord An, hoping that he would remember the late queen and perhaps show leniency towards the eldest son. This tactic struck a chord with Lord An's heart. Mu Haiyao agreed to help because Luo Qinglian believed that He Lianxin would inevitably guess her true state. Without someone assisting her from behind, it would be impossible to achieve this. So, she expected He Lianxin to visit Mu Haiyao, which might rekindle their old feelings. However, Luo Qinglian didn't anticipate that He Lianxin would blame Mu Haiyao for using him, leading to an argument.

Upon returning to the city, Lord An was preoccupied and constantly thinking about his eldest son's childhood. In the court, some officials began suggesting that Lord An reinstate the eldest son, and Lord An was well aware of their true intentions, which were in favor of someone else. He Lianxin had been looking for an opportunity to have Lord An restore the eldest son, and finally, the opportunity arose. He boldly requested his father to move to the eldest son's mansion and asked him to visit his son. Once they entered the mansion, the former queen, the eldest son's mother, came out to welcome Lord An. She informed him that the yard was filled with grapevines that the eldest son had personally nurtured for Lord An's wine and that there were scriptures for prayers to the late queen. She mentioned that the eldest son had been bedridden due to staying up all night to transcribe the scriptures. He Lianxin seized the moment to propose the idea of reinstating the eldest son. Fifth Young Master opposed He Lianxin, which angered Lord An. Lord An questioned Fifth Young Master when he could make decisions for himself. Fifth Young Master had never intended to compete for the title of eldest son, and Lord An knew that he was advocating for Fourth Young Master.

Lu Beiyi went to find Luo Qinglian, believing that her act of madness was merely a ploy to keep He Lianxin close. He thought she was using it to gain He Lianxin's favor and ultimately sway Lord An. After all, the more actively one behaved when the eldest son was deposed, the more Lord An would dislike them. However, he was surprised to learn that Luo Qinglian had genuinely planned to reinstate the eldest son. When the eldest son was deposed, those who appeared more proactive and eager to help had a better chance of gaining Lord An's favor. She pretended to be insane to keep He Lianxin close and secure Lord An's favor. Her tactic worked, and the eldest son was reinstated, with He Lianxin being granted the title of a county prince.

He Lianxin was not happy with this outcome and had been suffering due to Luo Qinglian's lack of affection for him. He asked Lu Beiyi for a drink, hoping Lu Beiyi could help him become someone who Luo Qinglian deeply loved. After pouring his heart out, he got drunk and passed out. Later, Lu Beiyi brought a jug of wine to Luo Qinglian. He was also quite drunk but still conscious. He wanted to tell Luo Qinglian that he had betrayed her first. He had always felt guilty for being of low status and failing to fulfill his promise to her. He had backed out, and He Lianxin had even given him a chance to leave with Luo Qinglian, but he had given up. So, Luo Qinglian didn't need to feel guilty about him; he had wronged her first.

Lu Beiyi noticed He Lianxin's deep affection for Luo Qinglian and understood that Luo Qinglian was gradually reciprocating those feelings. He advised Luo Qinglian to return to the Young Master's mansion. Luo Qinglian decided to "recover" and meet He Lianxin. He Lianxin learned that Luo Qinglian had regained her sanity and rushed to the mansion to see her. Luo Qinglian also expressed her longing for He Lianxin. Before leaving the mansion, Luo Qinglian bid farewell to Mu Haiyao, leaving behind a piece of fish food. Mu Haiyao naturally understood her meaning, which was to advise her to conserve her energy and desire like a fish. But Mu Haiyao knew that she and Luo Qinglian were different, as she possessed something Mu Haiyao could never have: He Lianxin's true love.

Luo Qinglian's journey back to her mansion was not smooth. Right at the entrance, Lady De ordered that Luo Qinglian should not be allowed into the mansion. Instead, she was taken to the Chao Hui Courtyard to meet Lady De. When Lady De saw Luo Qinglian for the first time, she was astounded by their striking resemblance. Lady De regarded Luo Qinglian as a witch. Ever since the previous queen's death, Lord An had not looked at her for five years. So, Lady De transferred her hatred for the late queen onto Luo Qinglian and wanted to ruin her appearance. Fortunately, He Lianxin arrived in time to save Luo Qinglian. However, Lady De issued a command that as long as she was alive, Luo Qinglian was never to enter He Lianxin's mansion.

Lord An summoned Luo Qinglian, and they shared drinks and laughter in a pavilion. Lady De secretly witnessed this scene and felt uncomfortable. Luo Qinglian noticed Lady De's departure as she was leaving the pavilion and warned Lord An not to forget old friends. Lord An understood Luo Qinglian's meaning and went to visit Lady De.

Lady De no longer harbored resentment toward Luo Qinglian, so she requested permission from Lord An to allow Luo Qinglian to return to the Young Master's mansion. Lady De also asked Lord An to bestow the title of concubine on Luo Qinglian, making her more than a servant.

Luo Qinglian went to find Lu Beiyi. She had already guessed that Lu Beiyi was involved in the plot to depose the eldest son. She knew that Lu Beiyi must be in league with Fourth Young Master. She hoped her guess was wrong, but Lu Beiyi admitted it. Lu Beiyi asked Luo Qinglian to settle the matter herself. However, Luo Qinglian couldn't bring herself to harm him. Lu Beiyi cautioned her to be careful, as there were still people loyal to Fourth Young Master in He Lianxin's mansion. Then he decided to leave, realizing he couldn't protect her anymore.

Luo Qinglian returned to her mansion, where some were happy and others were not. Even if the legal wife was unhappy, she had to consider the bigger picture and maintain a facade. As for Nan Ruzhen, her hatred was written all over her face. Lady Rong and Lady Rou were the happiest, as they could finally reunite with their good sisters after several years.

Luo Qinglian became pregnant, and this time she was extremely cautious. She decided to keep this a secret. Even the matter of taking pregnancy-stabilizing medicine was handled with great care. She feared that the events of the past might recur, so only her servants, Lady Rong, and Lady Rou were informed. She believed that only when she was at her best could she protect her second child. Luo Qinglian was certain that Nan Ruzhen was working for Fourth Young Master, thanks to Lu Beiyi's warning. However, she had no evidence yet and couldn't take action against Nan Ruzhen.

Luo Qinglian patiently waited for an opportunity to completely bring down Nan Ruzhen. So, she continued to endure everything he did and kept it to herself. She didn't tell He Lianxin because she was waiting for the right moment to strike. Nan Ruzhen also knew that Luo Qinglian had probably figured out his actions and was curious about why she hadn't reported to He Lianxin. He didn't know what Luo Qinglian was planning. For now, the most important thing was for him to make her pregnant. Only then could he gain He Lianxin's heart and protect his own interests.

Luo Qinglian refused to share the bed, falsely claiming that she wasn't feeling well. He Lianxin found it strange that she had come without being invited, which made Luo Qinglian a bit anxious. She quickly lay down pretending to be unwell, but He Lianxin still noticed the fabric hidden under her blanket. He realized that Luo Qinglian was pretending to be sick, but he mistakenly thought that she was secretly making clothes for him, possibly to surprise him.

Lord An dreamt of a qilin, and after consulting the court diviners, he learned that it was an auspicious sign, symbolizing the conception and birth of his offspring. It meant that a prince who could inherit the throne would be born. Lord An was very pleased, but when he inquired about it, all his sons claimed that their wives were not pregnant. Lord An sent people to investigate in various mansions.

Dongli received the news and quickly reported it to Luo Qinglian. They thought that this would be an excellent opportunity for Luo Qinglian to announce her pregnancy publicly. However, it was not the right moment for Luo Qinglian. In both the Young Master's mansion and the royal palace, the word "greed" was taboo. Perhaps it was a test from heaven. What she needed to do now was to remain calm.

Nan Ruzhen seized this opportunity deliberately, feigning nausea in front of the house manager. While her vomiting alone wouldn't prove anything, a physician's examination confirmed that she was two months pregnant. Lord An was delighted when he heard the news, which surprised He Lianxin. However, he didn't dare to dampen his father's spirits and remained silent.

Many of the other wives doubted Nan Ruzhen's claim of pregnancy, given that she hadn't shared the bed for a long time. So, the legal wife checked the household records. Coincidentally, Luo Qinglian, along with Lady Rong and Lady Rou, arrived at that moment. According to the records, it matched exactly with what the physician had said. However, Lady Rou noticed something unusual about the household records.

In addition to the good news about Nan Ruzhen's pregnancy, Lord An also made a marriage proposal for Yuan Xue. But Yuan Xue had her heart set on Lu Beiyi and didn't want to marry someone she didn't like. Before getting married, she met with Lu Beiyi and knew that he had someone on his mind, but she also had her own feelings. Unfortunately, no one could understand them. Fourth Young Master secretly visited Yuan Xue and gave her some poison to retrieve Lu Beiyi's belongings. Yuan Xue had taken a small box from Lu Beiyi, which was initially filled with wine flasks. However, it had a hidden compartment, containing something related to Fourth Young Master. To get the box back, Fourth Young Master said hurtful things to Yuan Xue, telling her that Lu Beiyi thought she was a dirty person. He also gave her some poison as a way out. As a result, Yuan Xue consumed the poison and fell into a coma while still inside the bridal sedan chair. Lord An was puzzled about why Yuan Xue didn't want to marry and why she didn't make a fuss. He was unaware of Lu Beiyi's unexpected appearance, lifting the sedan chair's curtain and discovering Yuan Xue in critical condition. Yuan Xue was promptly taken back to the royal palace, her life hanging in the balance. This angered Lord An greatly, and he no longer considered her as his daughter. She had acted so irresponsibly that she lost his trust among the officials, which had damaged his reputation. So, he decided not to see Yuan Xue. Lady Zheng, Yuan Xue's mother, begged Lord An from outside, fearing that this might be their final encounter. General Yu also tried to persuade Lord An, but he remained steadfast in his decision. He also scolded He Lianxin, telling him not to call him "father" anymore. He Lianxin realized that his father was furious, and at this moment, he couldn't say much and left.

He Lianxin went to question Lord Xiu to make his father take the blame for himself, intending to harm his sister, which was too heartless. Lord Xiu did not admit it and told He Lianxin not to make baseless accusations without evidence. He Lianxin knew that Lord Xiu would stop at nothing to seize the title. He told Lord Xiu that Qu Liang would never fall into his hands, and that the heavens were watching, and he would face retribution.

Yuan Xue's condition stabilized, and Lord An couldn't help but worry about his daughter. Knowing that she was out of danger, he visited Yuan Xue. Yuan Xue was still unconscious and murmured Lu Beiyi's name in her sleep. Lord An overheard this and invited Lu Beiyi and He Lianxin to have a meal together. Lord An believed that while He Lianxin may have been ineffective, he was adaptable in handling situations. As for Lu Beiyi, this was the second time Lord An had met him. Although he had saved Yuan Xue, he had also embarrassed the He family. Consequently, Lord An intended to have a drink with Lu Beiyi, but just as they were about to do so, Yuan Xue arrived and stopped him. She begged her father to spare Lu Beiyi's life, which made Lord An very angry. Yuan Xue didn't consider her family at all, but Lord An still insisted on executing Lu Beiyi. Fortunately, Luo Qinglian arrived in time and wanted to present the jade flute of the late queen to Lu Beiyi, which would spare his life. Luo Qinglian hoped that Lord An would arrange the marriage of his children as a father. Yuan Xue was his only daughter, and she didn't want to disobey her father's orders; she just wanted a simple and genuine love, to marry the person she loved.

In the end, Lord An decided to grant Yuan Xue her freedom, with the condition that she was no longer his daughter. Luo Qinglian persuaded Lu Beiyi to take Yuan Xue home, but Lu Beiyi hesitated, feeling that he wasn't worthy. While he understood Yuan Xue's feelings, he couldn't provide her with the emotional and prosperous life she deserved at the moment. However, Yuan Xue didn't mind as long as she could be with Lu Beiyi. Before leaving, Yuan Xue handed a box to Luo Qinglian, hoping she would keep it safe. Lord Xiu secretly watched this scene and felt that it would be even more challenging to obtain what was inside the box.

He Lianxin was very happy because Yuan Xue had taken away his love rival. Lu Beiyi was not heartless, and over time, he might develop feelings for her. Luo Qinglian reflected on recent events and the sighting of Lady Si entering South Ru Zhen's residence. She believed that Lady Si was connected to the white-faced scholar Yuan Xue had mentioned, the one who was searching the streets for someone with a scent of orchids. When Lady Si left, South Ru Zhen and her maid didn't follow, but Xu Liangchuan did. Luo Qinglian immediately sent Li Tang and Dongli to rescue the scholar. They managed to save him and brought him to Luo Qinglian. However, the scholar only recognized scents and didn't recognize people. Based on the scent, he determined that Luo Qinglian was the person he was looking for and stabbed her in the chest. Fortunately, Luo Qinglian was wearing a life-saving amulet, and the dagger struck the amulet bag, saving her life.

Xu Liangchuan returned to report the situation to South Ru Zhen. She guessed that the culprit was likely Luo Qinglian and barged into her room, where she accidentally discovered that Luo Qinglian was pregnant. Luo Qinglian's sister, Lan'er, finally agreed to meet with her at Lord An's mansion, which made Luo Qinglian very happy.

Lan'er's disposition changed significantly, as she proactively cared for Luo Qinglian and wanted to forget the past, reconciling with her sister. He Lianxin naturally learned about Luo Qinglian's pregnancy. Although he complained that she had kept it from him, he was ultimately happy because they were having another child.

Li Tang, preoccupied with grief over his pet, Little Black's death, accidentally scattered soil on Lan'er's foot while cleaning up the mess from a broken vase. Lan'er scolded him, and Li Tang began to argue back. Surprisingly, Luo Qinglian punished a servant for the first time, making Li Tang kneel until she gave the order for him to stand.

Later that evening, it started raining, but Li Tang continued to kneel without begging for forgiveness. Luo Qinglian didn't show any intention of letting him stand, and Dongli and Zhiyue watched with sympathy. Zhiyue secretly brought food to Li Tang, thinking it was at Luo Qinglian's request. When Li Tang learned that Luo Qinglian and Lan'er were already resting, he was very upset, feeling that his loyalty couldn't compare to the deep bond between the sisters.

Song Daqi noticed Li Tang's punishment and informed South Ru Zhen. South Ru Zhen needed a trustworthy servant, and she saw this as an opportunity to expedite Luo Qinglian's downfall. Song Daqi intentionally invited Li Tang for a drink, and Li Tang ended up saying some things he shouldn't have, including criticisms of Luo Qinglian and South Ru Zhen. South Ru Zhen believed Li Tang shouldn't have criticized her and suspected it might not be an act, so she bribed Song Daqi to bring Li Tang to meet her.

Li Tang went with Song Daqi to see South Ru Zhen, and Zhiyue witnessed this. She reported it to Luo Qinglian, who believed that Li Tang was loyal and wouldn't betray her. She pretended to remain calm and waited for Li Tang to return. South Ru Zhen produced poems that Li Tang had written before, showing that he had aspirations. In the past, talented individuals had been recommended for government positions, and as long as Li Tang served her well, she promised to help him obtain an official position.

Li Tang did indeed help South Ru Zhen. He secretly took the box Yuan Xue had given to Luo Qinglian, which only contained a wine flask. Nevertheless, since it was what Lady Si needed, South Ru Zhen considered it a successful task. When Li Tang returned to Lianwei Residence, he found Luo Qinglian standing in the courtyard. To his surprise, Luo Qinglian appeared to have betrayed him. He thought she was going to have someone beat him, but South Ru Zhen insisted on taking him away. Ultimately, Li Tang left with South Ru Zhen.

On the day of Luo Qinglian's delivery, everyone was tense, and even Lord An personally visited the mansion. This time, Luo Qinglian gave birth to a baby boy. Lord An was overjoyed and held his grandson, naming him He Nanzhao. He also granted a favor to the child: when he turned three, he would enter the royal palace, where Lord An would personally teach him. This was unprecedented, and some of the other wives weren't pleased, especially the main wife and South Ru Zhen, whose faces turned dark. Only Lady Rong and Lady Rou genuinely felt happy for Luo Qinglian, knowing the challenges she had faced to bring her child into the world. Lord An reminded He Lianxin that it was time to promote Luo Qinglian because the position of the side wife had been vacant for a long time.

South Ru Zhen accidentally discovered a mechanism in the box, revealing a leather map inside. She couldn't understand it but knew it was Lady Si's weakness. She informed her maid to reply to Lady Si, saying the item hadn't been obtained yet and to be patient. During South Ru Zhen's childbirth, the midwife fainted, and everyone feared the worst. However, Luo Qinglian arrived to assist her, and South Ru Zhen successfully delivered her child. Unfortunately, Luo Qinglian fainted in the process. He Lianxin, deeply concerned for Luo Qinglian, continued to care for her and paid no attention to South Ru Zhen. Lady Rong had not expected Luo Qinglian to react this way. Luo Qinglian had to ensure that South Ru Zhen's child was born for the events to proceed as planned. They guessed that South Ru Zhen had been complacent for too long and should now taste some bitterness.

Luo Qinglian's residence was infiltrated by an assassin named Zhao Qingyun, the very person who had previously targeted Luo Qinglian. She was searching for the person who had seduced her brother, Zhao Qingze. They had been dependent on each other, but one day, her brother was harmed by someone. He was taken away and then seduced by the other party. Even though his face was covered, he couldn't resist, and they had a physical relationship. Although he couldn't see the person's face, they shared an intimate moment, and the scent of that woman remained vivid in his memory. Now, Luo Qinglian had that same fragrance.

At this point, Luo Qinglian and Dongli began to act. Luo Qinglian had never used this scented ointment before, but she had to use it temporarily since the one she usually used had run out. As for whom the scented ointment was meant for, she was unaware. He Lianxin arranged for Su Nanchun to inform everyone to gather at Jingqiu Courtyard, especially emphasizing that Nanshuzhen must be present.

In reality, this play had been planned between Luo Qinglian and Zhao Qingyun. Zhao Qingyun was determined to avenge her brother and saw this as an opportunity to eliminate the person responsible for her brother's death and assist Luo Qinglian. Nanshuzhen was the last to arrive, and she couldn't keep her actions a secret. She had to prove her innocence by shedding blood. Originally, Nanshuzhen had sent her maidservant to fetch water, but Ruo Furen prevented her, thinking she should avoid suspicion. She suspected that the water might have been laced with alum, which could make even unrelated people appear to be blood relatives. Nanshuzhen resented Ruo Furen but dared not act, so she had her maidservant bring the child instead.

Just as they were about to draw blood, Nanshuzhen pretended to be unwilling to harm the child. Luo Qinglian persuaded her and was prepared to take the child to obtain the blood. Unexpectedly, the child began wheezing and passed away while crying. Seeing this, He Lianxin couldn't bear to continue the blood test and ordered the child to be taken away. But suddenly, Li Tang burst in and revealed that Nanshuzhen had borrowed his seed to have a child.

Li Tang had learned about this from Nanshuzhen's maidservant, and his description matched what Zhao Qingyun had said, causing He Lianxin to become furious once again. This time, Nanshuzhen would not gain He Lianxin's trust or forgiveness through any means. With the situation reaching this point, Nanshuzhen's maidservant had no choice but to reveal the truth. Nanshuzhen had pressured her into doing everything. Now, Nanshuzhen's attempts to argue were in vain. He Lianxin decided to have her beaten to death, but suddenly, Luo Qinglian pleaded for Nanshuzhen's life, hoping that He Lianxin would spare her. If Nanshuzhen were to be executed by the Lord, it could harm the Lord's impression of He Lianxin. Simply driving Nanshuzhen away would suffice, as she had lost her child and her status, and everything she had gained would be in vain, leaving her with nothing.

Lady Si learned that Nanshuzhen had been expelled from the Lord's residence and personally went to find her. Nanshuzhen hoped that Lady Si would take her back, and she would serve her diligently. However, she accidentally revealed that she had seen a map, and this aroused Lady Si's desire to harm her. This matter could not be known to others, and since Nanshuzhen knew, there was only one way out – death.

Li Tang came to Lianwei Residence carrying a box to see Luo Qinglian, but he was mistaken for a traitor by Zhizhi Dongli and the others. They believed he was not worthy of entering Lianwei Residence and were about to force him out. Fortunately, Luo Qinglian arrived in time and stopped them.

Li Tang was arranged by Luo Qinglian to be by Nanshuzhen's side. Even though he suffered great grievances, Li Tang didn't regret it. To Luo Qinglian, Li Tang was no longer just a servant; he was a brother, a family. Dongli and the others felt guilty for misunderstanding Li Tang. This time, Li Tang had made a great contribution. He discovered the secret in the box, and the map was the most important thing to the Fourth Young Master. However, Luo Qinglian couldn't figure out the location it represented.

Madam Rong and Madam Rou came to find Luo Qinglian and told her the news of Nanshuzhen's death. Luo Qinglian had already avenged her deep grudge, but she wasn't as happy as she had imagined. Nanshuzhen's death couldn't bring her child back to life. In the evening, Luo Qinglian and He Lianxin met at the pavilion. Luo Qinglian revealed the truth about everything that had happened. She had pretended to be insane and foolish to make He Lianxin take her back to the residence. Even in her dealings with Nanshuzhen, she had used every means to achieve her goals. She didn't deserve He Lianxin's affection because He Lianxin loved the kind and tolerant Luo Qinglian, not the current one who would resort to any means to achieve her objectives. He Lianxin was deeply hurt, and he left without turning back. After He Lianxin departed, Madam Rou approached Luo Qinglian. She couldn't understand why Luo Qinglian was so persistent in revealing the truth. The competition among the Lord's female relatives was well known, but the Lord simply turned a blind eye to it.

He Lianxin went to find Lu Beiyi and wanted to talk with him. Lu Beiyi told He Lianxin that Luo Qinglian was someone who wouldn't tell lies. Since she had been making changes and even lied and concealed the truth for He Lianxin, she must be worried about losing him. She had no choice but to do what she did. If Luo Qinglian had remained the innocent girl she once was, she might not have survived in the Wang Residence until today.

He Lianxin thought Lu Beiyi made sense, so after returning to the residence, he sent Su Nanchun to fetch Luo Qinglian to the pavilion. He was setting up lotus lanterns, symbolizing that they could let go of everything that had happened before and start anew. Luo Qinglian was very surprised that He Lianxin would willingly want to start over. The two of them reconciled, and Luo Qinglian also helped Li Tang obtain a new assignment. She hoped that He Lianxin would give him a chance. Due to the ongoing murder case, He Lianxin was going to investigate in Huanzhou, so he could take Li Tang with him. Li Tang could fill a vacant position in Quyin County.

Luo Qinglian and Dongli accompanied He Lianxin and Li Tang as they left. However, on their way back home, they were unexpectedly kidnapped. The masked kidnapper only took Luo Qinglian. Later, someone informed He Lianxin about Luo Qinglian's abduction, and he was extremely worried. The Fourth Young Master had initially intended to send someone to find the map, but his subordinates didn't find it. Instead, they took it upon themselves to kidnap Luo Qinglian. When Madam Rong learned of this, she was very angry, but for the sake of safety, she decided to kill Luo Qinglian. Lu Beiyi heard about the situation and proposed a solution. The Fourth Young Master didn't want to lose a weapons factory, but Madam Rong praised Lu Beiyi for his strategic thinking. It was better to have both sides suffer losses rather than end in a complete defeat. In this regard, the Fourth Young Master was a bit short-sighted.

Luo Qinglian has been missing for two days, and He Lianxin sent out many people to search for her, but they couldn't find any trace of her. Dongli felt extremely guilty, thinking it was her fault for not protecting Luo Qinglian. She dragged her still recovering body around searching for her. With injuries all over her body, just as she was about to go out again to look for Luo Qinglian, she was stopped by Lord Yi Gongzi. He carefully applied medicine to Dongli's wounds. Dongli asked Lord Yi Gongzi if the bite marks from the insects would show different shapes, and Lord Yi Gongzi began to explain. Dongli recalled seeing a scar on a robber's hand that looked like a centipede just before she fell unconscious. Lord Yi Gongzi quickly identified which insect had bitten her, and it was a kind that was mostly found in the suburbs. So, he hurried to inform He Lianxin.

Lu Beiyi and Yuan Xue were having a meal at home when a sentence from Yuan Xue made Lu Beiyi realize that the Fourth Madam was planning to harm Luo Qinglian. He quickly went out to rescue Luo Qinglian. He Lianxin arrived at the location where Luo Qinglian was kidnapped before Lu Beiyi, and he rescued her. By the time Lu Beiyi arrived, the room was in shambles. He Lianxin kept Luo Qinglian by his side as she had greatly helped him. She had uncovered the secrets of Master Xiu and brought out a map that showed the location of Master Xiu's weapon factory. Luo Qinglian now understood that the map in her possession was a distribution map of iron ore in Huanzhou. This was why Master Xiu was so desperate to get it back. He was afraid that the ironclad evidence of his rebellion for the title would be discovered.

Lord Yi Gongzi and his men captured Master Xiu's armory but discovered that Master Xiu intended to shift the blame onto the Crown Prince, which was too cruel. Luo Qinglian and He Lianxin believed that since Master Xiu had put so much effort into the armory, he wouldn't easily let it fall into their hands. He had willingly given it up to clear himself and shift the blame onto the Crown Prince, which would implicate He Lianxin as well. The Lord knew that the King was likely to depose the Crown Prince upon learning of this, but he cared for the Crown Prince and didn't want to anger his father by reporting it. If he didn't report it to his father, the matter would eventually come to light in public. It would be seen as him covering up for the Crown Prince. They didn't expect Master Xiu to be so cunning. The people present, who had followed He Lianxin for many years, didn't want to see He Lianxin in this situation, so they asked for his permission to die.

He Lianxin told them that he wanted all his people to live. Their loyalty was a victory over Master Xiu. He could only gather the courage and strength to continue if they were all alive. Lord Yi Gongzi decided to reveal the truth to his father but pretend that He Lianxin was unaware, as it was the only way to protect him. He Lianxin had prepared to report to the King, but just as he finished dressing, Su Nanchun returned and reported that Lord Yi Gongzi had already gone to the royal palace. He Lianxin was curious, and Dongli told him that she had found a document and the royal seal that Lord Yi Gongzi had hidden. He Lianxin rushed to find Lord Yi Gongzi. Luo Qinglian begged He Lianxin not to harm Lord Yi Gongzi and to help him cover up the lie. Perhaps they could save him.

In the end, the King deposed the Crown Prince, and Lord Yi Gongzi was sent to guard the border. He Lianxin was heartbroken, and he would always remember what his younger brother had done for him. He was determined to eliminate Master Xiu and bring light to the situation. Going to the border this time was dangerous and unpredictable, with harsh conditions. Hearing Luo Qinglian and He Lianxin talking about this, Dongli decided to follow Lord Yi Gongzi, hoping that they could fulfill their own destinies.

Dongli liked to lean on Lord, but she knew there was a world of difference in their statuses. So, she just wanted to serve as a maidservant by his side. Even though Dongli was Luo Qinglian's maidservant, Luo Qinglian had long regarded her as family. She respected Dongli very much, but it was likely that Lord could never return to Quliang in this lifetime. She looked at Dongli's determined look and could only agree. He Lianxin said he would do his best to arrange it, and Dongli was very grateful to both of them.

He Nanzhao had always been in the Wang Residence, and Luo Qinglian couldn't help but miss her son. Just as she and He Lianxin were discussing this matter, Yu, the steward, came to deliver a message. Lord ordered Luo Qinglian and He Lianxin to pick up He Nanzhao and bring him back to the residence. Luo Qinglian couldn't help but feel overjoyed. Later, Luo Qinglian learned that He Lianxin had already requested permission from Lord for He Nanzhao to return to the Young Master's residence.

In the previous life, the eldest son had taken his own life, but he was saved by Young Master Hua. It was Lady Si who had informed Young Master Hua, and her goal was to give him a chance to seize it. Young Master Xiu didn't understand, but Lady Si had her own plan. She not only intended to give up this opportunity but also wanted to make the fourth son's men serve Young Master Hua. Lady Si believed that after the exposure of the weapons depot incident, the chances of the fourth son inheriting the title had become zero. They needed to find a new candidate, and at the moment, Young Master Hua was the most suitable choice. He had both the qualifications to compete with He Lianxin and could be manipulated by them. What's more, he and He Lianxin were blood brothers. Young Master Xiu believed in Lady Si's judgment. He knew that Lady Si had always had a keen eye when it came to selecting the heir because that was the only thing on her mind.

Eleven years later, even though Lord was still alive, his health was not as good as before, and he had been ill several times recently. Now, the ancestral ceremony was approaching, and Lord could not attend due to his health. So, he arranged for He Lianxin to perform the ancestral ceremony on his behalf. When Lady De learned of this, she went to see Lord, but Lord did not see her. Lord was well aware that she felt wronged. Young Master Hua had defended the realm against external enemies, earning great military achievements. Lord had entrusted the important task of the ancestral ceremony to He Lianxin, which naturally left Lady De dissatisfied. Lady De's partiality was clear, born of love for her own son. However, Lord's intentions were probably not what everyone had expected. He wanted to choose a royal descendant as the heir. This way, everyone's plans, including his sons, would be thwarted, and He Nanzhao would be in danger. He Lianxin had contacted Mu Tianshu in advance, instructing him to intercept Young Master Hua if he returned to Quliang. He also arranged for Luo Qinglian to move into the Wang Residence with He Nanzhao because the Wang Residence was the only safe place.

Upon arriving at the Wang Residence, Lady De had some snacks prepared for He Nanzhao, but Luo Qinglian, citing the strong wind outside, didn't let her son eat. Initially, Luo Qinglian wanted to pay her respects to Lady De, but a maid sent a message claiming that Lady De had caught a chill, so Luo Qinglian should handle it herself. She had also taken the snacks she had brought. Seeing this, Luo Qinglian instructed He Nanzhao to be cautious in the Wang Residence and to be vigilant at all times. Besides the food they brought with them, the food in the Wang Residence was not to be eaten. Luo Qinglian wasn't worried about Lady De, as this was her grandson, but others had to be cautious. After all, in the vast Wang Residence, how many people had access to the food? In case of an accident, there would be no way to investigate.

Since Luo Qinglian knew about Lady De's illness, she made some soup to visit her. However, Lady De didn't show her a pleasant face because she had just learned that He Lianxin had gained Lord's favor due to He Nanzhao. So, she was not happy with He Lianxin and his family. Luo Qinglian quickly smoothed things over with Lady De, who had been upset. After coming out, Luo Qinglian ran into Lady Si. The two of them officially began their contest. Luo Qinglian knew that Lady Si must have been whispering in Lady De's ear. Over the years, Young Master Xiu's actions also seemed to have had Lady Si's influence in the background. Such a person couldn't be allowed to succeed in Quliang, so Luo Qinglian was determined not to let them have their way.

Early in the morning, He Nanzhao was summoned by Lord. He missed the young master and wanted him to accompany him. Lord's health was deteriorating day by day. Luo Qinglian was deeply moved by the affection between them. When Lord asked if she had made any arrangements for the title, Luo Qinglian replied that she hadn't. Lord was well aware that during this time, she had been copying scriptures and praying for blessings. He told Luo Qinglian that choosing a wise ruler for Quliang would also be a way of showing filial piety.

Luo Qinglian would have people closely follow He Nanzhao, but there were always malicious individuals looking for an opportunity. Lady Si arranged for an assassination attempt on He Nanzhao, but to her surprise, Minister Gu had secretly protected He Nanzhao at Lord's behest. Just when Lady Si thought her plan had succeeded, she found that He Nanzhao was unharmed. She had fallen into a trap, and with both witness and physical evidence against her, she could now be apprehended. At this point, Lady Si still refused to admit her conspiracy and tried to implicate Lady De to save herself. But Lord had already ordered that anyone who resisted would be executed.

Lady Si and the Fourth Young Master were brought before Lord. The Fourth Young Master hoped that Lord would show some leniency. At this moment, he was still very much in love and wanted to protect his wife. But Lady Si openly defied Lord. She took all the blame upon herself and asked Lord to execute her, leaving the Fourth Young Master. Luo Qinglian approached, hoping that Lord wouldn't personally execute his son. She wasn't interceding for the Fourth Young Master and Lady Si but for He Nanzhao. Moreover, having experienced the pain of losing a child, she didn't want to see Lord go through it as well. Lord actually admired Lady Si's courage, but the Fourth Young Master fell far short of her. If the Fourth Young Master had a third of his wife's courage, he wouldn't have ended up making wedding clothes for Young Master Hua. It was only at this moment that the Fourth Young Master realized that his father knew everything.

Lord had decided not to deal with Lady Si for the time being, but Steward Yu reported to Lord that He Nanzhao had gone missing, which sent Lord into a fit of rage, causing him to faint. Lady Si was temporarily detained, and the kidnapping of He Nanzhao had nothing to do with her. But she knew who was behind it. The Fourth Young Master couldn't figure out who held such a deep grudge against He Lianxin and wanted to kidnap his son. It was only through Lady Si's reminder that he realized it was likely Lu Beiyi.

Indeed, He Nanzhao had fallen into the hands of Lu Beiyi, but Lu Beiyi had no intention of harming him. He had taken him to his own residence to protect him. He Nanzhao was a clever child who knew it was the Fourth Young Master who wanted to harm him. He just couldn't understand why someone he held in such high regard would want to put him in mortal danger. He Nanzhao carried with him the comb that Lu Beiyi had once given to Luo Qinglian, and she had taught him to use it as a reminder to be a person of integrity and gratitude. Since he could remember, Luo Qinglian had told him that there were six people in the world who could protect him completely: his grandfather, his parents, Concubine Rou, Concubine Rong, and one more person he had never met, and that person was called Lu Beiyi.

Lord An learned the news of the death of He Nanzhao, and his health is probably not good. At this moment, He Lianxin is blocked on the way back to the Wang Mansion by the Fifth Prince. The two sides have been deadlocked until the Lord's order arrives. He Lianxin hopes that the Fifth Prince, who is a father and a son, can consider the overall situation. In the end, the Fifth Prince and He Lianxin rushed back to the Wang Mansion. It is feared that this is also the last time they will see their father.

The Lord only met He Lianxin and was ready to pass on the title of Lord An to him. Although the fourth son is capable, he is only pursuing his own interests, and the Lord cannot entrust Queliang to him. The Lord believes that only He Lianxin can inherit his will. The Lord handed the personal jade pendant given to him by the monarch to He Lianxin. It symbolizes his and the monarch's commitment. Back then, Daming was already under the control of the prime minister, and the monarch asked the Lord to escape to Queliang, strengthen Queliang, and wait for the day when Queliang's forces are strong enough to return to the capital and save the monarch. Because only then can they contend with the prime minister. No matter how many years pass, the monarch will wait for the Lord to come back.

At this moment, He Lianxin finally learned that his father had been preparing for the return to the capital to defend the monarch for many years in Queliang. The Lord informed all his sons of the candidate for the title, and he could finally meet Fuer, whom he had longed for, before his death. Before his death, he received the news from the general manager that He Nanzhao was still alive. The Lord laughed heartily after hearing this. The sons did not know why he was so happy. Later, the Lord fell on the bed and passed away.

After arranging the Lord's coffin, the new Lord returned home. At this time, he saw that He Nanzhao was still alive, thanks to Lu Beiyi, who protected He Nanzhao and safely sent him back to the mansion. Luo Qinglian had also met Lu Beiyi, and the misunderstanding from many years ago was resolved. Luo Qinglian told Lu Beiyi that there is more than one type of relationship in this world, and there is also a kind called confidant.

The reason Luo Qinglian arranged things this way was to prove the sincerity of the Lord's abdication. He Lianxin's succession was not because he was a son. He Lianxin was very grateful to Luo Qinglian for resolving his inner conflict, but what if the father changed his mind about the successor due to He Nanzhao's death? Luo Qinglian told He Lianxin that she had never had such concerns because, like the late Lord, she believed that He Lianxin was the one Queliang could entrust.

Now there is one more thing that troubles He Lianxin, which is the matter of Lady Four. According to the law, she should be executed, but doing so at this moment would surely lead to opposition from the fourth son. Therefore, this matter still needs careful consideration. He Lianxin had emotions with Lady Four before, and he explained to Luo Qinglian that he would not kill her, not because of their past, and Luo Qinglian naturally understood this. Moreover, that was all in the past, and she didn't care.

Regarding the matter of Mu Haiyao, He Lianxin confessed to Luo Qinglian that he sought the help of Mu Tianshu to prevent the Eighth Prince from returning. However, Mu Tianshu requested the release of Mu Haiyao. In that situation, He Lianxin had no choice but to agree. Mu Haiyao returned to the Wang Mansion in a high-profile manner, still the side consort, and received very generous rewards. The legitimate wife did not expect her to come back, and she also did not expect that only Luo Qinglian and Mu Haiyao received rewards. Now that Mu Haiyao is back, coupled with the power of the Mu family, she believes that she is not Mu Haiyao's opponent. So, she decided to make Luo Qinglian the scapegoat, deliberately saying that over the years, it was Luo Qinglian who managed everything in the Wang Mansion. Implicitly, if she joins forces with Luo Qinglian, Mu Haiyao will naturally not be her opponent. However, Mu Haiyao is not willing to admit defeat. The interactions in the villa back then are still vivid in her memory, and she has kept the gifts Luo Qinglian gave her until now.

Lady Four received only one reward, which is the princess's attire, and everyone congratulated her. When Lady Four took over the princess's auspicious dress, it suddenly caught fire. As it burned, it unexpectedly revealed the shape of a lotus flower, and everyone looked at Luo Qinglian. Later, people began to discuss, thinking that it was the late Lord's divine intervention, probably wanting Luo Qinglian to become the princess.

Luo Qinglian was also puzzled by why such a thing happened. She thought it was done by Lady Soft and Lady Rong, and they thought it was Luo Qinglian's doing. The three of them met and discussed this matter after clearing away outsiders, only to find out that there was someone else behind it. Luo Qinglian had never coveted the position of the princess, and Lady Four, who had managed the young lords' residence over the years, was kind and deserving of the title. However, with such an incident today, the purpose of the person behind it is unknown.

Lady Four is the mastermind behind it all because she finally realized that only by getting rid of Luo Qinglian, with He Lianxin losing his "strategist," they might still have a chance. With such an incident, Lady Four probably won't keep Luo Qinglian around. Now, as long as the Fourth Prince can stay calm, it may not be He Lianxin who ultimately ascends to the position of Lord An.

The Fourth Prince burned the offerings from the Khan, making the Khan's envoy angry and annoyed. His goal is to provoke conflict between the two regions, making He Lianxin, the Lord An, uneasy. The Fifth Prince looked at the Fourth Prince in hesitation, but he didn't know how to persuade him. Lady Soft suggested that Luo Qinglian should go to the Wang Mansion to meet He Lianxin first, conveniently mentioning the matter of the auspicious dress. Lady Four's people unintentionally discovered that the offering warehouse was burned, and the arsonist entered the residence of the Fourth Prince. After learning the situation, Lady Four specially went to the residence of the Fourth Prince to find Lady Rong and reminded her not to struggle meaninglessly.

The Second Prince also returned to the city. He heard about the burning of the offerings, went to the scene to investigate, and not only found white phosphorus but also Luo Qinglian's handkerchief. He Lianxin did not suspect Luo Qinglian because of this. When the Fourth Prince and others learned of this, they took the opportunity to frame Luo Qinglian. Luo Qinglian actively questioned why she would burn the offerings and provoke conflict between the two regions. This left the Second Prince and the Fourth Prince speechless. At this time, Lady Four's maid Drunk Willow came to report to He Lianxin that Luo Qinglian had burned the auspicious dress, and evidence was found in her courtyard. Lady Four then arrived and echoed Drunk Willow's words. The Second Prince took the opportunity to suggest that He Lianxin should send Luo Qinglian to Cige'er to give an explanation. Given the current situation, He Lianxin could only send Luo Qinglian to the disciplinary court.

Lady Soft and Lady Rong came to escort Luo Qinglian. They didn't expect that with He Lianxin succeeding, good days were about to come, but unexpectedly, such an incident occurred. Lady Soft, who saw the situation most clearly, knew that the Fang family used to be the rulers of Queliang and least wanted to see the two armies at war. But now that things have come to this point, Lady Four took advantage of the situation to frame Luo Qinglian. In this way, not only could a scapegoat be found to quell the war, but the rumors of the auspicious dress spontaneously combusting could also be dispelled. Lady Soft felt that Lady Four's thoughts were profound, and she never expected that she would be no less than Mu Haiyao.

Luo Qinglian was initially very disappointed. She didn't expect He Lianxin to doubt her. Just when she was disappointed, someone delivered a letter from the Lord. He Lianxin only wrote four words, "Trust you, save you." Luo Qinglian breathed a sigh of relief; it turns out he believed in her. At this moment, it was just a temporary measure. Luo Qinglian also replied with four words, "Thank you, help you," and added a sentence for He Lianxin: "For the peace of Queliang, I am willing to go to Cige'er."

To consolidate his position, He Lianxin dispatched troops to Cige'er, and he personally sought the assistance of Lu Beiyi. This battle was crucial, and success would give He Lianxin hope to secure the position of Lord An.

Mu Haiyao looked at Lady Soft's affection for Luo Qinglian and naturally felt uncomfortable. She had hoped to have a deep sisterly bond with Lady Soft, as they did before. However, Lady Soft was not a foolish person; she knew that someone who had betrayed once would likely betray again. As long as Mu Haiyao did not obstruct the path to saving Luo Qinglian, they wouldn't be enemies.

Lu Beiyi reversed the situation, and He Lianxin received the news. He distributed military provisions to reward the soldiers, but the provisions were mixed with bran. Later in the battle, the situation reversed. The incident with the bran was orchestrated by the Fourth Prince. The Fifth Prince just learned about it, and he was very surprised. He didn't expect the Fourth Prince to do such a thing. The ministers advocated for peace to minimize losses. In the midst of He Lianxin's distress, the envoy from Cige'er, Sirelun, had arrived outside the gates of Queliang. Lord An personally came to welcome the Khan into the city for rest.

He Lianxin naturally hosted the envoy, inviting his brothers, ministers, and even the ladies to the banquet. The purpose was to showcase the strength of Queliang and the Wang Mansion. He Lianxin also released Luo Qinglian, stating that he had investigated the arson and found it unrelated to Luo Qinglian. Although Queliang was currently at a disadvantage, He Lianxin needed to boost the morale of his soldiers, so he decided to personally go to war. Seeing this, Sirelun realized that their Khan had not chosen the wrong person in He Lianxin. Therefore, Sirelun's visit was to negotiate peace.

This surprised everyone present. They had thought that Cige'er sent an envoy to demand answers, but unexpectedly, they preemptively proposed peace. However, the Khan of Cige'er wanted to request a virtuous woman from Lord An as his princess. The marriage proposal made Lady Rong nervous. She feared that Lingwei would be arranged for a political marriage. Luo Qinglian comforted Lady Rong, explaining that historically, princesses were selected from ministerial families for political marriages. It wouldn't involve Lingwei, so Lady Rong could only hope for the best.

However, bad news quickly followed. Cige'er insisted on having the legitimate princess from the Wang Mansion for the political marriage. Lady Rong asked Luo Qinglian to seek Lord An's mercy and not agree. Knowing that Lingwei's fate was at stake, Luo Qinglian, despite the risk of punishment, decided to try. Lady Soft initially wanted to stop Luo Qinglian. They all knew it was related to Lady Four and had become a foregone conclusion. Once Luo Qinglian angered He Lianxin and lost his protection, she would become a target in the mansion. Luo Qinglian understood, but she couldn't lose Lady Rong and Lady Soft, so she was willing to try for the sake of sisterhood. Moreover, Lingwei was like her daughter.

Luo Qinglian's plea failed, and Su Nanchun, seeing her in a difficult situation, suggested a plan. Since the envoy chose the princess, only she could change their minds. Therefore, Luo Qinglian sent someone to disguise as the princess, showing an extremely ugly appearance to make the envoy reconsider. However, the envoy had a much broader perspective. Even if the princess was not a stunning beauty, the marriage was not about marital harmony but avoiding conflict between the two sides. After Luo Qinglian and the envoy separated, reflecting on his words, which showed a grand vision and the courage to address their Khan by name, she realized that this person was not an envoy but the Khan of Cige'er.

Knowing that the Khan had never taken a consort and finding his character acceptable, Luo Qinglian considered that marrying Lingwei to him might be a good outcome. Lady Rong didn't expect Luo Qinglian to think this way. She knew she had no other options, so she resorted to a desperate measure, secretly arranging for Lingwei to escape in the disguise of a servant girl.

Luo Qinglian learned that the county princess had escaped, immediately arranging for He Nanzhao to go and bring her back. Otherwise, not only would Lady Rong's life be in danger, but there would also be the threat of war. At the same time, Young Master Xiu was eager for a war to break out between the two regions. He deliberately arranged for assassins to kill the county princess, ensuring she could never return, intensifying the conflict. The Fifth Young Master did not expect his brothers to disregard the safety of Qu Liang and not care about the life of their own niece.

Realizing his mistakes, the Fifth Young Master disguised himself to rescue the county princess. When he arrived, He Nanzhao and the county princess were trapped. Fortunately, his intervention allowed the two children to escape safely. When the county princess returned to the mansion in bridal attire, Young Master Xiu was shocked. At this moment, Luo Qinglian earnestly requested Lord An to treat the princess kindly, fostering mutual respect and love. She reminded him of their previous agreement, urging peace between the two regions.

Three months later, Lady Defu's health deteriorated, and Lady Rong was also unwell due to catching a chill, with little time left. Upon hearing the news, He Lianxin rushed to visit his mother. However, Lady Defu refused to see him until her last moments. With her last strength, Lady Rong requested Luo Qinglian to play a game of chess with her. They reminisced about the past while playing, and after many years, Lady Rong still won half a point each time. Knowing that Luo Qinglian deliberately let her win to make her happy, Lady Rong insisted on the tradition. In the end, she asked Luo Qinglian to assist He Lianxin and ensure the peace of Qu Liang, allowing prosperity for both regions.

As the enfeoffment ceremony approached, the legitimate wife knew she would become the queen, but it meant little as the lord's heart was never with her. The Fourth Lady proposed an alliance to eliminate the person in the lord's heart, offering the legitimate wife a chance to turn things around. The Fourth Lady revealed that the investigator of the grain contamination incident, Fang Erge, happened to be the legitimate wife's brother. They secretly switched letters, framing Luo Qinglian's father as the mastermind. He Lianxin couldn't believe it.

The Fourth Lady's motive was to save her son. Anticipating his death once the truth surfaced, the Fourth Young Master had prepared poison to take during the enfeoffment ceremony. Rather than letting He Lianxin face execution, he chose to end his own life. The Fourth Lady did not expect him to act so recklessly, ignoring her advice and causing a great disaster.

Luo Qinglian's father was imprisoned, and she went to visit him in the dungeon. Seeing her father's haggard appearance, she felt deep sympathy. Upon their first meeting in the dungeon, her father inquired if the lord had turned his anger toward her, worrying about her safety due to their relationship. Luo Qinglian believed her father would never be involved in contaminating military supplies with bran. However, Luo Rongyu was unaware of where the issue occurred. Luo Qinglian warned him that those escorting and interrogating could be involved. Luo Rongyu thought the chances were slim, considering the involvement of many people in tampering with the supplies. Luo Qinglian realized that, regardless of how many people were involved, the ultimate decision-makers were only two individuals. She didn't expect the queen and the Fourth Lady to join forces, signaling that the conflicts were just beginning, and there might be greater troubles in the future.

Luo Qinglian sought mercy from He Lianxin, only to find out that he had just drafted a pardon decree. Considering Luo Rongyu's advanced age, He Lianxin decided to release him from the dungeon first, awaiting the truth before making a final judgment. Young Master Yi discovered a mechanism in the military supply boxes, and even without breaking the seals, they could be opened. He found the craftsman who made the boxes. Although the Fourth Young Master was meticulous in his actions, the craftsman managed to escape and could soon reveal the mastermind. However, the person he named was Fang Erge. Devoted to the Fourth Young Master, Fang Erge refused to confess. In order to save his life, He Lianxin had no choice but to detain him. The meals were arranged by Luo Qinglian, but someone tampered with the food.

In an effort to make Mu Tianshu loyal to the lord, Luo Qinglian sought help from Mu Haiyao. However, Mu Haiyao, being a rival, was unwilling to assist. Luo Qinglian informed her that the lord's heart no longer belonged to herself but to the entire Qu Liang. Now, the Fang family and the Fourth Young Master were secretly opposing the lord. Without a counterexample to balance them, both the lord and Qu Liang would be in danger. Although Mu Haiyao did not have a broad perspective, when she heard that the lord's heart was no longer solely dedicated to one lady, she softened.

The relationship between Mu Haiyao and Luo Qinglian grew closer. When Mu Haiyao fell ill, Luo Qinglian personally cooked medicine and soup for her, wishing her a speedy recovery. She emphasized the importance of having good sisters as companions in the absence of a husband, finding joy in such friendships. The Fourth Lady wrote a letter to her sister, Shen, who cooperated with her in a staged performance. Shen deliberately fainted in front of Luo Qinglian, preventing her from delivering the food. To care for Shen, Luo Qinglian arranged for a maid to deliver the meal. However, the queen intercepted the maid. As Luo Qinglian had instructed not to entrust the food to others, the quick-thinking maid claimed there was soup missing and returned. Mu Haiyao observed the situation and, being a side consort, took the food herself, avoiding any criticism. After delivering the meal, Mu Haiyao unexpectedly met He Lianxin. Surprised, he learned that Luo Qinglian had been accompanying Shen, so he came to deliver the food in her place. Knowing Mu Haiyao wasn't feeling well, He Lianxin reminded her to take care of herself.

Officer Zheng confessed, stating that he was coerced by the head clerk. However, when he was about to reveal the identity of the head clerk, he succumbed to poison and died. The poison was administered by the maid next to Shen after Shen fainted. He Lianxin questioned those involved in cooking and delivering meals. Luo Qinglian admitted to preparing the food, and Mu Haiyao assisted in delivering it, but they vehemently denied poisoning it. Officer Zheng's family accused Mu Haiyao of being the mastermind, claiming she was the head clerk. They accurately described Mu Haiyao's residence layout and recounted how they personally handed her the confession letter, watching her place it in the cabinet. Mu Haiyao had never met this person and had not seen any confession letter. He Lianxin sent An Sunanchun to search, and indeed, the confession letter was found.

Mu Haiyao couldn't defend herself. Luo Qinglian and Mu Tianshu pledged their lives to guarantee that Mu Haiyao was not the head clerk. He Lianxin ordered Mu Haiyao under house arrest and initiated a thorough investigation. Mu Haiyao immediately spat out blood. Luo Qinglian personally approached He Lianxin, and he naturally believed her and trusted that Mu Haiyao wasn't the head clerk. Despite her usual arrogance, he was sure she wouldn't harm him.

Luo Qinglian visited the critically ill Mu Haiyao, and they had a heartfelt conversation. Mu Haiyao confessed for the first time that she accidentally killed Hui'er. Luo Qinglian wanted to inform He Lianxin of this matter, considering his deep love for Mu Haiyao. However, Mu Haiyao felt it was unnecessary. When He Lianxin came to visit Mu Haiyao, she refused to meet him. After a long time, Luo Qinglian came out alone from the room, crying sorrowfully in front of He Lianxin. Mu Haiyao had passed away.

With Mu Haiyao's death, Mu Tianshu was sure to rebel, as expected by the Fourth Lady. Just as Luo Qinglian and He Lianxin were considering this, they learned that Mu Tianshu led troops into Qingkang Hall to burn the details of the new policy. Lu Beiyi intervened, and upon hearing the news, Yuan Xue immediately rushed to Qingkang Hall to save Lu Beiyi. Lu Beiyi and Mu Tianshu were in a fierce battle, and Yuan Xue saw that Lu Beiyi was about to be harmed by Mu Tianshu. She rushed to Lu Beiyi's side and blocked Mu Tianshu's sword. Yuan Xue had waited for him for eighteen years and could finally lie in Lu Beiyi's arms. It was warm there. In the past decade, Lu Beiyi had developed feelings for Yuan Xue and had planned to implement the new policy, eliminate his humble background, and marry Yuan Xue openly. However, that day never came. Yuan Xue died in Lu Beiyi's arms, and He Lianxin and Luo Qinglian arrived to witness the heartbreaking scene. Mu Tianshu was also shocked, realizing that he had killed the county princess with his own hands.

The Fifth Young Master was already disappointed with the Fourth Young Master. The present Fourth Brother was no longer the one who wanted the people of Qu Liang to live in peace and prosperity. He had become someone who would resort to any means for personal gain. Therefore, the Fifth Young Master decided not to accompany the Fourth Young Master on the future path. The Fourth Young Master just learned that his wife was the head clerk. Over the years, she had been secretly accumulating power, opposing He Lianxin at every turn. She aimed to defeat him one day and ascend to the throne, becoming the queen. However, the Fourth Young Master no longer wanted this. He intended to resign and forgo everything. The Fourth Lady stopped him, urging him to think carefully. Everything was ready now, and He Lianxin could be forced to abdicate soon.

He Lianxin executed Mu Tianshu, after which the Fourth Young Master and the Sixth Young Master led their men to the palace, attempting to force the abdication. Unexpectedly, Mu Tianshu's former subordinates remained loyal to He Lianxin. They only awaited the Lord's command to immediately capture the rebels. The Fourth Young Master and the Sixth Young Master didn't anticipate that this would be a play staged by Mu Tianshu and He Lianxin. Despite Mu Tianshu's resentment towards He Lianxin for betraying his sister, Mu Haiyao had left a letter, hoping that her brother would protect and help He Lianxin. Although her life had been unhappy, she had three warm years of love with He Lianxin. Those comforting years were enough to withstand the loneliness in her heart and the desolation in the separate courtyard. However, Xu Liangchuan also harbored resentment towards He Lianxin and delayed delivering the letter to Mu Tianshu. Unfortunately, Mu Tianshu bore the blame.

He Lianxin didn't intend to execute Mu Tianshu, but Mu Tianshu couldn't let the Lord violate the law for him. This would make it difficult for the Lord to gain the people's support in the future. Mu Tianshu pleaded with He Lianxin to execute him for the sake of Qu Liang. They reminisced about the past, the night before Mu Tianshu married Mu Haiyao, when they drank and discussed ideals and aspirations. Mu Tianshu admired He Lianxin's broad-mindedness and ambition at that moment, deciding to follow him wholeheartedly. They also recalled the time they formulated the details of the new policy, staying awake for two days and nights. Mu Tianshu didn't feel tired but was filled with enthusiasm. It seemed that a prosperous Qu Liang was just around the corner. He Lianxin knew Mu Tianshu was a talented individual and sincerely dedicated to the He family. Unexpectedly, he had to issue the order to execute him, causing deep sorrow.

Upon learning that she had been deceived, the Fourth Lady was captured by the Lord. The Fourth Young Master wanted to take the blame for his wife, falsely claiming to be the head clerk. However, Luo Qinglian arrived and exposed his lie. The Fourth Lady voluntarily went to the Lord's residence, offering herself and pleading for death. He Lianxin didn't meet her but instructed Sunanchun to convey that he accepted her request.

Drinking poisoned wine, the Fourth Lady couldn't accept such a farewell and chose to follow her. Fang Huairui voluntarily sought out the Lord, admitting to her faults and requesting to be relieved of her queen's title. He Lianxin intended to confer the title of queen on Luo Qinglian, but she declined. She hoped He Lianxin would retract the decision. Being a queen would mean losing too much autonomy, making it difficult to regain her original intentions in the future.

The Prime Minister launched an expedition against Qu Liang, a situation He Lianxin didn't anticipate. Surrendering would mean submitting to the Prime Minister, but resisting would jeopardize the peace that his father had worked so hard to build in Qu Liang. He now wanted to hear the voices of the people because Qu Liang wasn't his alone; it belonged to the people. With the enemy at the gates, officials, soldiers, and citizens of Qu Liang united against the external threat. He Lianxin, with the help of the subordinate Geller army, repelled the Prime Minister's hundred thousand troops, dealing a heavy blow and finally restoring the rule of a wise monarch. Qu Liang returned to tranquility.

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